Student College Fees Look Set to Return to €3,000

Monday, 30 June 2025 15:30

By Tara Flanagan

It contradicts a plan set out in the programme for government.

A students' union says it should be no surprise students are emigrating, claiming they're being left behind by the Government.

It's expected the contribution fee for third level will return to 3 thousand euro, following three years of cuts.

It contradicts a plan set out in the programme for government.

Incoming AMLÉ (formerly USI) President Brian O' Mahoney, says a promise has been broken:

"As always, we have students that are choosing to have to work full-time in order to get into class, but not able to attend classes because of working full-time, choosing to whether they go to class or whether they eat. Sleeping in cars. We wonder why students are leaving the country, but when students are so undervalued during their educational cycle, it's no wonder that we want to leave for trying to get a brighter future."

Kildare North TD & Minister for Higher Education James Lawless has reaffirmed the reduction in student fees is unlikely to continue.

The one thousand euro cut to contribution fees has been feature of the past three Budgets.

However, he has said more grants will be made available for further and higher education.

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