Opposition parties and student representatives will protest outside Leinster House this evening.
It’s over Government plans to reinstate the €3,000 college contribution fee.
In 2022, then Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris, introduced a €1,000 cut to the student contribution fee, a measure repeated for the 2023 and 2024 academic years.
An extra €500 off fees from SUSI was also introduced for families earning under €100,000
All major parties had campaigned in the general election on a promise of making college more affordable.
In the Programme for Government, there was a promise to continue to reduce the student contribution fee over the lifetime of the government.
Higher Education Minister James Lawless then sparked controversy, as he said fees would return to €3,000, as a cost of living package may not be available in this year’s budget.
His coalition partners in Fine Gael then insisted no decision on fees had been made.
This evening, the USI will join Sinn Féin, the Greens, Social Democrats and People Before Profit outside Leinster House.
They’re calling for a permanent reduction in fees, claiming the internal rows in Merrion Street are causing “heartache” to families.
The overall call is for clarity.
