Rising student accommodation costs
Deputy Guirke highlights a sharp increase in one student’s accommodation, rent and service charges in Galway. The Tánaiste points to rent-tax relief and reduced fees but says no budget decision has been made on further measures.
I wish to tell the Tánaiste how much it is costing students to go to college this year. I will tell him about a student in my constituency of Meath West who goes to college in Galway. Last year, she paid €8,632 to go to college. This year, it will cost her €10,380 for the same room, just moving across the hall. How is that happening? There is an additional €350 in rent. Last year, they were talking about charging in utility bills. This year, it is service charges. They just change it. Last year, the utility charges totalled €1,100, while this year they are €2,000. That is an increase of over 80%. In addition, the Government is putting up students fees by €500. That will cost this student €1,748 more than last year to go to college. How is that affordable? This is happening to thousands of students right across the country going to college in Galway and other places. I was talking to someone this morning who has two kids going to college. That is an additional €3,500 compared with what they paid last year. At the same time, the Government is imposing another €500 in student fees.
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Guirke. I do not doubt those challenges are real for families. We have taken a number of measures to try to help students and their families. We expanded the rent tax credit and ensured that students could qualify for it, as that was not originally the situation. We have reduced college fees for the past three years in a row. There is a clear commitment in the programme for Government on the direction of travel in which the Minister wants to go in the time ahead.
While I heard the Deputy and different people mention the €500 figure, there has been no budgetary decision made on any aspect yet. Let us see where the budget gets to on 7 October. We have also increased the students grants.
While I do not know the individual in question, many students who are entitled to student grants often do not realise or think such grants are for them. Many families qualify. Similarly, the Minister and I were just talking about how many people, including students, qualify for the GP access card, which can help with costs too. We are committed to helping students with the cost of living. The budget will show a way forward in that regard on 7 October.