Fianna Fáil promises to freeze third-level fees despite surging costs

Fianna Fáil has claimed it will freeze third-level student contribution fees for five years if it is elected to government, despite chronic under-funding affecting the system which could force costs to surge.

Education spokesman Charlie McConalogue made the commitment to cap the contribution at the launch of the party’s education policy document yesterday, insisting the move is achievable if additional taxpayer funds are used instead.

The Donegal TD said the contribution has doubled to €3,000 since 2012 and is now preventing some families from sending their children to college.