Ireland’s student leaders are considering their next steps after meetings with the Higher Education Minister failed to provide solutions to the cost of living crisis facing students.
The Irish Examiner (15/09/2025) published a report that that the budget will include a ‘reduction’ of the student contribution charge; however, the effective fees for students will be higher than last year, as a result of the end of the government’s ‘cost of living’ package in the last budget. The report in the Examiner emerged less than a week after 15 unions had meetings with the Minister, and student representatives are unimpressed.
Speaking to student representatives, AMLÉ President Bryan O’Mahony said:
“The minister sat down with 15 students’ unions, and he heard at those meetings that the top priorities of students were Student Accommodation and the reduction of third level fees. Every Union emphasised the importance of reducing the current €3,000 student contribution charge.
The government could follow through on their pre-election promises to cut the fees. Maintaining the contribution fee at €2,000 would cost this Government approximately €100 Million – a little over 1% of the more conservative expected budget surplus of €8.5 billion.
This sleight of hand, touting a ‘reduction’ which will feel to students like a sizable increase is utterly unacceptable to our members.
We are all urging this Government to do the right thing and act with integrity.”
-ENDS
This was released to media on 23 September 2025