Representatives from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have indicated that they would retain the €3,000 annual registration fee for students in case of re-assuming the power, with a central focus on increasing grants to support disadvantaged students’ university attendance. These assertions were made at a pre-vote debate concerning the future funding of third-level educational institutions at DCU recently. Contrarily, representatives from Sinn Féin and Labour endorsed the full elimination of the current registration fee to make higher education easier on the pockets for financially challenged students. They also pledged to invest in additional financial supports.
For the past year, the official registration fee has been set at €3,000. Nevertheless, a one-off reduction of €1,000 was offered in October’s Budget. Families with an income less than €100,000 saw their fees cut to €1,500.
The imminent release of next month’s budget and the general elections will bring a focus on third-level fundings. This light will shine on both the affordability of college for students and the alleged financial shortfall in the higher education sector. This sector has allegedly been underfunded due to public sector wage increases.
Recently, the head of Trinity College Dublin warned about a potential “gradual and quiet decline” of Irish educational institutions. A 2022 government-commissioned report suggested that an additional €307 million was required over a series of budgets to bolster the sector. Conversely, the Government claims to have provided just over a third of that amount, but universities contest that a significant portion of it has gone into wage hikes.
During the hustings, all the political parties backed the provision of the sector’s complete core funding. They were also supportive of investing in research infrastructure and of tapping into the notable surplus of the National Training Fund. However, there was a disagreement on the best ways to financially support the students.
Fianna Fáil’s spokesperson on higher education, Senator Malcolm Byrne, argues that free fees, first implemented in the mid-90s, have not helped underprivileged students enrol in college. He believes that amending Susi grants would be a superior approach. He added that politics involves making decisions. Senator Joe O’Reilly, Fine Gael’s spokesperson on higher education, coincides with him in favour of student grants as a more effective means of promoting higher education enrolment. He noted that the reduction of registration fees in the latest budget effectively eliminated costs for many. He emphasized the importance of access, suggesting that improving Susi grants should be the primary focus.
Mairéad Farrell TD, Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on higher education, maintains her party’s dedication to abolishing student registration fees, highlighting the positive impact seen from free secondary education. Meanwhile, Senator Annie Hoey from Labour emphasized their intent to discard the student registration fee as well, citing that its abolition in the 90s resulted in increased third level participation.
Green Party’s Senator Pauline O’Reilly equivocated, suggesting while cease of fees could be an aim for the next government, resolving issues such as underfunding and student accommodation shortage should take precedence. Conversely, Richard Boyd Barrett from People Before Profit-Solidarity champions unrestricted access to higher and further education without fees, deeming the limitations on access as unfathomable.