Tánaiste insists student fees will be reduced despite coalition tension
The Tánaiste has insisted the Government is united on the issue of student fees, which he has indicated will be reduced early next year.Simon Harris moved to stress that the coalition remains committed to lowering the cost of third-level education, but said any reductions would be implemented next year, when a second instalment is due.It comes after Higher Education Minister James Lawless said student fees — which were reduced by €1,000 over the past three years — will return to €3,000, as Budget 2026 will not include the cost-of-living measures that previously enabled the cut.Asked about differences between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael on third-level fees, Mr Harris emphasised that a programme for government had been signed off by both parties."This idea that a bill is going to fall due of €3,000 in September isn't actually what happens. Most people don't have three grand under the mattress, or six grand if the two kids come to college — people pay in instalments, often two or three instalments, one before Christmas, maybe one in the new year, one after. So actually, the time any reduction comes in at isn't the most pertinent point."He added: "As everybody knows, these announcements are made on budget day, but what I would say to people is, the programme for government is clear, and the direction of travel government wants to go in terms of reducing the cost of college, and we're also clear in terms of how the actual process of paying fees works."So it's not a question of fees going up in September, it's a question of the Government's decisions that we make in a budget will then obviously be reflected from the new calendar year, and that's normal budgeting."Instead of introducing a temporary cost-of-living package, Mr Harris said the Government’s focus must now shift to "proper, structural, permanent changes". He highlighted supports aimed at reducing costs for small businesses, childcare, schools, and third-level education."We're not going to have a specific kind of package of measures between now and the Christmas period; we're going to get back into regular budgeting. We both in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael said that very honestly in the general election campaign, and the programme for government says that as well," said Mr Harris.He added that the budget would be "expansionary" and aimed at helping the squeezed middle.
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