College Fees Set To Rise As Cost-of-Living Supports Cut

Tuesday, 1 April 2025 10:50

By Tara Flanagan

Higher Education Minister James Lawless has indicated that the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee may be removed

More than half of all third-level students in Ireland could see an increase in college fees this year as temporary cost-of-living supports are reviewed.

According to the Irish Times, Kildare North Fianna Fail TD and Higher Education Minister James Lawless has indicated that the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee—introduced in recent years—may be removed. This would effectively increase fees from the current €2,000 back to €3,000 for many students.

While nearly half of students receive state grants to partially or fully cover fees, those outside the grant system will be impacted if the reduction ends. Minister Lawless stressed that the cut was always a temporary measure and said no final decision would be made until the budget process later this year.

He plans to hold a “cost of education” event with stakeholders before publishing an options paper exploring alternatives, including adjustments to the Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant system.

The potential fee hike could spark political tensions, as Fine Gael leader Simon Harris had previously pledged to abolish student fees, though this commitment was not included in the government’s official programme.

A final decision on the student contribution is expected later in the year.

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