The USI strongly condemned Minister O Keeffe’s personal support for the reintroduction of third level fees, accusing him of being misguided and out of touch with the everyday concerns of students and their families.

According to the latest of Bank of Ireland Survey the average cost of going to third level in Ireland stands at just over €38,000, for a four year degree. According to USI, if fees were reintroduced the cost would almost inevitably rise to beyond €70,000, making higher education an unaffordable luxury for most average families.

The latest OECD Report detailed how Government spending on education has been significantly lowered over the years.

The proportion of Ireland’s GDP invested in education has decreased from 5.2% in 1995 to 4.6% in 2005.

USI President Shane Kelly said

“After decades of underinvestment in Irish education, this Government now wants to use Irish students and their families as scapegoats for such Government underinvestment. This would be a very short sighted approach to the long term problem of funding in our education system.”

“Not only would the return of fees be a disaster for students and their families, but it would put at risk the very idea of our knowledge economy by placing a barrier in front those wishing to further their education. The Minister must reexamine the long term effects of this short sighted proposal”.

“USI is committed to a free and fair education system, where everyone can reach their potential regardless of how wealthy they are.”