Mayo students up in arms over fees

Mayo students up in arms over fees


Rowan Gallagher

UP TO 300 third level students from GMIT Castlebar are set to march in Dublin over possible increases in fees this Wednesday after what is believed to be one of the toughest budgets in recent history.
Union of Students Ireland has warned that it will fight vigorously any attempt by the government to squeeze students any further in the upcoming budget with increases registration fees which have already seen a two fold increase in the last two years.
Although there have been reports of the reintroduction of third level fees in the upcoming budget Green Party Senator Dan Boyle says there has been no talk about it, but that registration fee increases are on the table.
Speaking to The Mayo News Alan Hughes, President of GMIT Castlebar Students Union said he is concerned about what could be another doubling in registration fees
“If you earn under €18,000 a year your county VEC will cover the registration cost but that is a very low threshold and when you take into account families that have a mortgage to pay it adds up.
“This is just the first stage of a national strategy we want to make the politicians know that we are voters and that we won’t be standing for this,” he concluded.
USI President, Gary Redmond, warned that any increase in the registration fee would be detrimental to the country in the long run with young people being forced to emigrate and making college just for the wealthy and privileged.
“Any further increase in the Registration Fee would mean the end of Higher Education for thousands of students around Ireland. It would also prevent thousands of disadvantaged people from entering college.
There will be severe repercussions for not only the future prospects of students and learners, but the economy as a whole if the Government continues with its plans.
Higher registration fees will mean that college will only be accessible for the more privileged in Irish society. USI is again urging the Government to seriously consider the education and future of thousands of young people in Ireland when drawing up December’s Budget.”