Students at the University of Limerick are voicing doubts about the government’s new fuel support package, arguing that it may fall short of easing their financial pressures.
The supports announced by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, which were implemented from midnight on Tuesday, April 14 include a reduction in excise duty on fuel.
The measures have seen the price of petrol and diesel be lowered by 10 cent per litre.
The government says that the measures aim to provide relief to those feeling pressure from rising fuel costs, however, students at the University of Limerick are sceptical.
“They can lower it by ten cent all they want, but we all know the prices will go back up in a couple of weeks,” Jack O’Brien, a business student at UL said.
For nursing students, the rising costs of fuel have had a huge impact on their income.
Jemma Dolan, a nursing student who commutes from Annacotty to University Hospital Limerick for placement, expressed that rising fuel costs have become her biggest expense in recent weeks.
“I only work part-time at the weekends, and I’m on placement four or five days a week,” she explained. “My car takes diesel, and at this point, half of my weekly wages are going on filling my car.”
“I really don’t see this reduction having much of an effect on me long-term, the prices are still so high,” she added.
Other students recognise the effects that global conflicts are having on the rising costs.
“I don’t know how much these measures are going to do for us long-term,” said Caoimhe Doyle. “Obviously the situation in Iran is having a big impact on prices, so that’s what really matters, I think.”
While the measures may offer some short-term relief, students whose incomes have been directly impacted remain doubtful.
These changes are welcomed, but it is clear from public reaction that more needs to be done to help the average person.