Union of Students in Ireland see a chance to address issues
Third-level educators have expressed their clear expectations for Budget 2025 as it draws closer. According to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), Budget 2025 presents the government with a “significant opportunity” to address the grave issues that third-level students are currently facing.
Reduction of study fees
The USI is requesting that the government lower costs by €1,500 immediately and present a strategy to do away with fees completely over the course of the following few years. Fine Gael Minister for Higher Education Patrick O’Donovan intends to pursue a further €500 decrease in third-level fees to compliment the €1,000 cut that has already been implemented, bringing the charge down from its previous level of €3,000 to €1,500.
Students hope for financial relief
University of Limerick students spoke to the Limerick Voice to express their feelings about Budget 2025 and what they expect from it. The big discussion on their minds included accommodation and the potential cut to third-level fees. One student said, “Students will want caps on rent prices, as well as reduced student fees and an increase in minimum wage.” Another student also expressed how there are “a lot of issues” with student accommodation at this moment in time. “A lot of people are not able to afford accommodation, even those getting SUSI and other grants,” said Roisin O’Shea, a fourth year arts student.
One of the main student concerns remains accommodations
With the accommodation concerns at present, a large majority of students have been forced to commute to and from college every day. One of the proposals The USI is calling for is free public transport for students, costing around €200 million. When asked about this, Ciara Walsh, another final year arts student, agreed with this proposal and fully believes that support for transport would be a great idea, mentioning how “There is a lot of trouble with trying to get parking around campus and improving transport would be very helpful”.
The Budget will be delivered by Minister for Finance Jack Chambers on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.