Mayo Young Fine Gael disappointed with student fees hike

YOUNG Fine Gael has expressed deep disappointment that students will face a €500 increase in fees this year compared to last year, describing it as 'a setback for affordability and access'.

Dean Kenny, secretary, Mayo Young Fine Gael, and Young Fine Gael north west regional organiser, said: “In our pre-budget submission to the Minister for Finance, we called for a €1,500 permanent reduction to the student contribution charge, to help families and students that are struggling to cover the rising costs of going to college. These include high rents, grocery prices, fuel, transport and much more.”

The former Student Union president at University of Galway continued: “We remain steadfast in our campaign to achieve the complete abolition of the student contribution fee.

“However, we do welcome the government’s commitment to making the fee reduction permanent, ending the uncertainty and one-off nature of previous budgets.”

The group also welcomed the increase of the maximum household income threshold for SUSI to €120,000, as well as an additional €65m allocated to enable a further 12,500 apprenticeship registrations.

Mr. Kenny, a native of Belcarra, added: “We will also continue to push for better support and conditions for part-time students, PhD researchers, and apprentices - groups that have long been overlooked in funding decisions.”