Ninth Level Ireland

“It was around this time three years ago that the Cassells report – a groundbreaking review of potential higher education funding strategies – was officially released. Three years later, and still the government has failed to act. There’s been talk. Committees have convened. Options have been discussed. But the government has consistently failed to deliver on the report’s most crucial recommendation: action …” (more)

[Jack Synnott, University Times, 15 July]

“Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if universities are free to set out their own level of non-refundable capitation fee for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 9 July]

“The abolition of the student contribution fee would cost the government €229 million, according to Minister for Education Joe McHugh. McHugh, answering questions in the Dáil this week, said the cost of abolishing Ireland’s fees – which currently stand as the second highest in the EU – would hit the budget of the government’s grant scheme …” (more)

[Cormac Watson, University Times, 5 July]

“Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if students domiciled in Northern Ireland who wish to enter third-level education in institutions here in September 2020 and in the years following will be considered non-EU students; if they will be required to pay the non-EU rate of student fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 4 July]

“Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost to abolish higher level education fees for both institutes of technology and universities …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 2 July]

“If national media outlets this week dedicated unusually significant coverage to students in University College Cork (UCC) protesting a proposed 120% increase to their capitation fee, it was hardly any wonder. It’s not hard to see that the move, which would see students paying €370 each per year in capitated fees by 2023, has huge implications for students all over the country …” (more)

[University Times, 30 June]

“On Wednesday evening, members of the UCC Student’s Union met with the President of UCC, Prof Patrick O’Shea, following protests earlier in the day over the decision to increase the student capitation fee by 120% …” (more)

[Ciaran Dineen, University Express, 26 June]

“Increasing the student capitation fees at University College Cork without a student referendum sets a dangerous precedent for the future, according to the president of the university’s Student’s Union. Alan Hayes was speaking at a protest outside the president’s office at UCC on Wednesday …” (more)

[Darragh Bermingham, EchoLive, 26 June]

“A small group of students are camped outside the president’s office in University College Cork (UCC) in protest at an increase to the university’s capitation fee. Around 20 students attempted to gain access to the offices of UCC’s President, Patrick O’Shea, but were prevented from entering by college staff …” (more)

[Donal MacNamee, University Times, 26 June]

“University College Cork Students’ Union (UCCSU) has launched a petition calling for a student-wide vote on huge increases to the university’s capitation fees ahead of the coming year. The petition, launched yesterday, states that the fee increases – which will see UCC students charged an extra €80 this September and will rise to €370 by 2023 – ‘should only be brought in with consent from students’ …” (more)

[Donal MacNamee, University Times, 25 June]

“Going to college will cost an average of €12,171 in the upcoming academic year, for students living away from home, but there are big savings to be made by going for the ‘digs’ accommodation option. Students can save up to €378 a month by living with a host family rather than in rented accommodation, according to the Technological University (TU) Dublin annual Cost of Living guide …” (more)

[Independent, 24 June]

“The Students’ Union at University College Cork has called for a referendum on plans to more than double the student capitation fee. UCC is planning to increase its fee from €170 per student per year to €250 for incoming first years this autumn …” (more)

[Darragh Bermimgham, EchoLive, 20 June]

“University College Cork (UCC) students have hit out as their college capitation fees will more than double in the next four years. Each year, students must pay a capitation fee to cover the cost of things like membership of the Union of Students Ireland (USI) and recreational facilities and to cover the cost of counselling services …” (more)

[Callum Lavery, Independent, 18 June]

“University College Cork students have said they are ‘absolutely distraught’ at the university’s plans to more than double the student capitation fee. The fee is currently €170 per student per year but is increasing to €250 for incoming first years this autumn and will continue to rise until it reaches €370 in 2023 …” (more)

[Gráinne McGuinness, EchoLive, 16 June]

“European Union (EU) students starting university in Northern Ireland in 2020 will pay the same tuition fees as local students. The Department for the Economy (DE) confirmed they will be guaranteed ‘home fee’ during their courses. It follows similar announcements in England and Scotland …” (more)

[Robbie Meredith, BBC News NI, 8 June]

“As a Commerce student, the prospect of going on a year-long paid internship during my studies was one of the reasons I was drawn to doing this course in UCD. Adding an extra year to my college years, gaining invaluable experience in an industry-leading company, strengthening my CV and making money whilst doing so seemed too good to be true. Alas, it was; in 1st year, having read the small print, I learned that students have to pay UCD their student fees during the internship period …” (more)

[Alex Lohier, College Tribune, 1 May]

“Trinity College Dublin is the latest Irish university to offer free fees and other supports to students living in direct provision to help them pursue third-level education. The university’s academic council has approved four four-year scholarships, for each of the next four years, for asylum seekers and refugees …” (more)

[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 11 April]

“Further increases to student fees or the introduction of a student loan scheme have been ruled out, the Irish Examiner can reveal. In a ‘highly significant’ development, the Government has rejected two of three recommendations contained in a 2016 report into how a gaping hole in third-level funding is to be filled …” (more)

[Daniel McConnell, Irish Examiner, 27 March]

“At €3,000 Ireland will have the highest university fees in the EU after Brexit. That is according to the Union of Students in Ireland ahead of a protest today at Dublin’s Trinity College. Third level students and staff will call on the government to respond to the growing crisis in higher education funding …” (more)

[Irish Examiner, 21 March]

“The presidents of all third-level students’ unions as well as the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) have come together to call for protests to demand increased funding for colleges in Ireland in an open letter …” (more)

[Ross Malervy, University Times, 11 March]