Government ‘must honour commitment to abolish student fees’ in Kildare

The government must honour its commitment to abolish student fees for students in Ireland, including those from County Kildare.

That's according to Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender, who warned that the government’s proposal for a two-tier model of college fee reductions "would deepen inequality in education and betray the trust of students and families".

The comments from the Newbridge representative come following a presentation which was delivered by the outgoing and incoming Presidents of Maynooth Students' Union (SU) in the Kildare County Council Chambers on Monday, June 30 last.

Cllr Pender asserted that those who delivered it "laid bare the everyday realities facing students — backed by new data from a survey of over 1,800 Maynooth University students".

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He continued: "The presentation we received in the Council Chambers this week was deeply moving and undeniably clear: third-level education in Ireland is becoming more and more inaccessible — not because of grades or academic ability, but because of cost.

"I heard about students commuting up to three hours a day, others paying over €1,100 a month for a box room, and many working part-time jobs just to stay afloat.

"Some are skipping lectures to make shifts. Others are dropping out altogether... this is the lived reality of students in 2025 and they deserve more than political manoeuvring."

FINDINGS

According to the survey:

• 72 per cent (pc) said the housing search harmed their mental health
• 43pc said commuting was unaffordable
• 52pc skipped lectures to go to work
• 12pc pay over €1,100 per month for accommodation
• 89pc of working students do so out of necessity

Cllr Pender also backed the position of Social Democrats Higher Education Spokesperson Jen Cummins TD, who criticised the government’s "spin" proposal for a two-track fee system in a statement which was released yesterday (July 3 last).

She said: "The government promised to reduce and phase out the student contribution fee.

"Now they’re suggesting a half-measure that gives relief to some and leaves the rest behind... that’s not reform, that’s retreat.

"A two-tier approach would deepen inequality, not fix it. It says to students: 'You can only afford to learn if you can afford to pay.'"

She concluded: "That’s not the society we claim to be building."

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender. File photograph

Cllr Pender urged Ministers in government to "stop shifting the goalposts and deliver on their original commitment to students".

"Students and families need certainty now not more spin," he said. "They need affordable accommodation, a functioning grant system, and the abolition of unfair and arbitrary fees.

"Monday’s presentation reminded us all that the cost-of-living crisis isn’t just hitting households — it’s hitting classrooms, lecture halls, and futures.

"Education must be treated as a right, not a privilege."

Cllr Pender concluded by saying: "I want to thank both the outgoing and incoming Maynooth SU Presidents for their honest, data-led, and passionate presentation... they spoke not just for Maynooth students, but for students across the country. It’s time we listened — and acted."

Last week, on June 24 last, Cllr Pender criticised the Department of Education for its alleged "deeply damaging" approach to special schools in Kildare.

The Department responded to his comments the following day.

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