Third-level education is something that, given recent funding cuts, should be at the forefront of a prospective government’s manifesto. However, few parties have addressed it in detail in the lead up to this year’s general election. In fact, most manifestos give second-level education more airtime instead. From what little is written about third level, the promise remains the same: a reduction or no change to the student contribution charge, a staunch opposition to any introduction of third-level fees, and an increase in investment into the sector. The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) stated in their 2016 manifesto that they would lobby to oppose “any proposal to increase third-level fees” and the introduction of an income-contingent loan scheme. They further support the maintaining of the grant system, stating that a “sufficient grant is a key element in ensuring that merit is the true determinant of the limit of a student’s aspiration in education”. Most parties are in line with this stance aside from the current party in power.
While it was reported that Fine Gael, in a draft manifesto, committed themselves to implementing an income-contingent loan scheme, their published manifesto saw the party stating that they would wait until the publication of the government higher education funding working group report before making any decisions on any funding model. However, with the working group likely to recommend such a loan scheme, there are already echoes of what is in place in Britain, that college is free at the point of access but that graduates would pay back tuition fees once their income reaches a certain level. The plans come after details were recently leaked from the Government Working Group on Higher Education Funding’s report, commonly known as the Cassells report, that recommended an income-contingent loan scheme. The report further stated that Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) would cease payment of the Student Contribution Charge, forcing both current and prospective students to take out a loan for the €4000 fee, however, the organisation would pay increased living costs, known as maintenance, to eligible students.
The suggestion of the introduction of fees has angered both students and politicians alike as the memory of Ruairí Quinn’s general election pledge in 2011 that he would not increase the Student Contribution Charge is still very much fresh in the minds of many. It has prompted many opposition parties to put forward their plans for third-level education. Fianna Fáil promises, if elected, to create equality of access to both third- and fourth-level education, with an increase to the Student Maintenance Grant and Student Hardship Fund. They also stated that they would prevent any increase in the Student Contribution fund for the next five years, however, they stated that they would “explore the roll out of an income contingent loan system to assist students and parents with costs”. Along with the Green Party, Fianna Fáíl are “opposed to any cuts to student grants or increases in fees”.
The suggestion of the introduction of fees has angered both students and politicians alike
The Social Democrats, in their manifesto detailing the ten year plan they have if elected, promise to cap and then reduce the Student Contribution Charge to replicate the Dutch system, which is around the €2,000 mark. They further promise to reform the maintenance grants system, restoring them for postgraduate students, and invest in access programmes. Sinn Féin echo this, stating that they will replace the revenue lost to the third level institutions through the central exchequer. Labour promise to reduce the Student Contribution Charge by €500 however, they recently announced that they could not rule out increasing fees for third-level students. Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan, stated that she had been briefed on the contents of a report examining the future funding of the sector, and when asked about the potential rise in fees, she said that Labour were “not ruling anything in or out”. In an article by The University Times, it was announced that the Minister also plans to put €100 million of additional funding into higher education and support to postgraduate students. This reduction in the charge, however, would be a temporary measure until the highly anticipated Cassells report can be considered. O’Sullivan further stated that the working group would not be “recommending loans” as The University Times reported before Christmas, but that they were looking at “a number of proposed options in the funding of higher education”.
Left wing party, People Before Profit, also promise to abolish registration fees and expand the student grant system, adding that they will aim to reverse the “commercialisation” of the education system. Almost all parties promise to increase investment in the vocational educational sector.
Most parties fall short of stating exactly how much they would place into higher education funding
Very few party manifestos include information on how they would tackle the student accommodation crisis. The Green Party’s manifesto is the only one to outline plans to tackle the rising transport and housing costs of students, adding that they will “convert State controlled lands including some of those 800 sites identified by the Irish Council for Social Housing as being available into social and student accommodation use”. Sinn Féin state that they will “create rent certainty by linking rent increases to inflation”, and introduce “heavily discounted fares for third level students” to encourage public transport among the college-going generation. Other parties leave the student specific issue to the various student unions dotted around the major cities.
Most parties fall short of stating exactly how much they would place into higher education funding. The Green Party promise to increase direct state funding for higher education by €300 million per year to prevent an increase to registration fees. They further state they will increase the standard and scope of post-leaving certificate and vocational training, and remove the cap on PLC places. Fianna Fáil state that they will input €100 million into higher education institutions and increase capital funding via a €296 million package in research and capital investment. Sinn Féin acknowledge the recent cuts to third-level students but fail to state exactly how much they would invest if elected, only referring to an investment of funds to “tackle staffing shortages at third level”, including Institutes of Technology. The Social Democrats state that “Higher Education is predominantly a public good” and thus, should be heavily funded, but also fail to give an exact figure.
