Two ministers refuse to confirm cost of student fees amid rising tensions
Two senior ministers have failed to provide clarity on how much third-level fees will cost this term despite multiple calls to be "upfront with students and their families". Members of the opposition repeatedly asked public expenditure minister Jack Chambers and higher education minister James Lawless to confirm whether fees will be restored to €3,000 for the coming academic year.It comes amid a coalition spat over third-level fees after Tánaiste Simon Harris indicated that he wants to see fees reduced in line with similar cost-of-living cuts over the past three years, while Fianna Fáil appears to favour more targeted measures.In the Dáil, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald accused Mr Chambers of "dancing on the head of a pin" by "dodging and refusing to give a straight answer" after she asked if students will be charged €2,000 or €3,000.This was echoed by Social Democrats TD Cian O'Callaghan who claimed that there is now "complete disarray and open revolt in the Government over student fees". He said Mr Chambers had already been asked twice to confirm the position on fees.
I will ask him a third time. What fees will students have to pay in September? Will it be €2,000 or €3,000? It is a simple, straightforward question
Responding, Mr Chambers said it was agreed at the time of the formation of the Government that changes across all policy areas would be made in a sustained and permanent way."In the context of further and higher education, the relevant minister, Deputy James Lawless, has engaged, and will continue to engage, with students and the stakeholders in that sector. "That will form the basis of the options paper on the cost of education, which will inform his work and the negotiation as part of budget 2026. That specific detail will inform him about what is possible and how he wants to prioritise the different measures that can be taken on a permanent and sustained basis," Mr Chambers said.Calling on the minister for higher education to provide clarity, Ms McDonald said his party colleague Mr Chambers had "come to the chamber this afternoon with big folders and is surrounded by his colleagues...but could not answer a straightforward question".
Mr Lawless told the Dáil that the "budgetary process takes place in October, not June, July or August".He added: "I am fighting within the resources available for students and their families for the best possible outcome across the board in all of the measures minister Chambers outlined, including Susi grants, fee thresholds and the student contribution fee, along with the cost of accommodation."No figure has ever been produced ahead of the budget in any area of government spending, and that will not change this year, no more than any other year. That has always been the position."There was anger among Fianna Fáil members at what were deemed the coordinated tactics by Fine Gael about the college fees issue.Questions were asked as to what the motivation was to cause such controversy when the topic went through similar discussions last year without a campaign being waged across media and social media.When is the last time you heard a Government TD on Liveline, it was asked at the party's parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday.Despite the level of anger, the meeting was told that Fianna Fáil would need to be the bigger party.
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