Labour Senator urges Government to scrap idea of student loans
Rising college fees are acting as a barrier for families who want their children to progress to third level education, says Labour Senator, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, who has slated the proposed introduction of student loans.
A 2016 report found a funding gap of €5.5 billion over the next 15 years in Irish third-level education, and thus recommended the introduction of a deferred payment scheme.
However, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin is urging the Government not to go forward with these plans and will table a motion on the issue tomorrow.
This week @labour Senators are tabling motion opposing Govts plans for a student loan scheme. See my statement here:@labouryouth @TheUSI pic.twitter.com/bgz6iKaKGX
— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) July 9, 2017
He said: "Fundamentally, education should be something that the tax payer provides."
"We have any amount of people who are eager to get into third level but the fees and system is still a barrier for many other people and working families."
"I think a situation where a burden of loans that has to be re-paid over a number of years would deter people."
We’re calling on Senators to support a motion rejecting income-contingent loan schemes! Read more -> https://t.co/AGQTxYnOIA #EducationIs pic.twitter.com/g18tnq6z6D
— USI (@TheUSI) July 10, 2017
Meanwhile, the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) are calling on the Government to decrease third-level fees by at least €250 in Budget '18.
College fees have risen dramatically over the past ten years and Micheal Kerrigan, USI President, wants the government to finally address the spiralling costs.
He said: "So what we are proposing for Budget 2018 is a minimum of €250 reduction. We have seen a 363% increase in the student contribution since 2008, which is a massive rise.
"There is no fee in the country that has gone up anywhere close to that much in the last 10 years."
