Minister got flood of complaints from students, parents, and TDs about potential fees hike

Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show that further and higher education minister James Lawless received a barrage of correspondence on the issue from disgruntled parents and students, as well as an influx of queries from TDs and ministers.

“Disappointed” students, parents, and representatives are among those who voiced their concerns over potential increases to college fees.

Student fees were permanently reduced by €500 as part of Budget 2026 following a major Coalition row last summer as it emerged that a €1,000 reduction in student fees was to be axed.

The reduction was in place for three years prior as a “cost-of-living" measure.

Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show that further and higher education minister James Lawless received a barrage of correspondence on the issue from disgruntled parents and students, as well as an influx of queries from TDs and ministers.

The offices of Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris were among those to forward complaints and queries received about the axing of the cost-of-living reduction.

One parent who wrote to Mr Lawless said it was the first time they had ever written to a minister to “complain”.

The parent wrote:

Next September, I will have two young adults in college in Dublin. This will mean fees of €6,000, as well as €508 in student registration.

"This is before the approximately €20,000 my husband and I will need to spend on housing our children, as we do not live in Dublin.

"All this before they have food, transport, and other day-to-day expenses paid for. Both my children work and contribute as best they can, but their priority is their studies.” 

In a separate email, another parent told the minister: "I have three still at home not able to afford their first house and now college is in doubt."

One third-level student wrote how "extremely disheartened" they were at the news. "I work part time to contribute to my expenses, and was feeling hopeful that this year I would not feel burdened by the extreme cost my course has placed on myself and my parents."

Student nurses

In correspondence forwarded to Mr Lawless from Mr Martin, one student nurse described how any increases to student fees affect her peers.

"Many student nurses cannot just get a part-time job to supplement their income in order to pay very high student fees.

"Our course requirements mean we have clinical placement blocks and study commitments, which, when combined, are often incompatible with traditional student part-time work."

The student added: "Any increase to the student contribution fee will mean that many student nurses and midwives will have no option but to leave their programme or to take out loans to pay for the remainder of their degrees. 

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"Putting a debt burden on student nurses and midwives will leave many with no option but to emigrate."

These sentiments were echoed by Phil Ní Sheaghdha, who wrote to Mr Lawless as general secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

She stated: "As you are aware, the future of health provision in this country depends on having a homegrown workforce. Placing barriers such as high student contribution fees on nursing and midwifery training will make it extremely difficult to meet our obligations."