Student fee increases will affect parents and business, USI warns

The Union of Students of Ireland (USI) has today warned that increases in student fees will have wide-ranging consequences for many communities.

The USI is calling on TDs and local representatives to stop further fee increases and cuts to student grants.

USI President John Logue said that the cuts do not just affect the students.

"The worrying thing at the minute is the effect that education cuts are having on parents and local businesses in area where there is a college in the local community," he said.

"We've seen recently statistics that 1.3 million families in this country, after they pay all their essential bills at the end of the month are left with just €50 - and Minister Quinn has indicated that he wants to increase the student contribution by €250 this year, and each year until 2015."

"So that equates to five months' disposable income for families in Ireland. I just don't know where they're going to get the money."

The union have organised a series of demonstrations which will take place on various college campuses around Ireland over the next couple of weeks.