By Róise Collins
The President of the Students Union at Donegal ATU has welcomed proposals to cut student fees for third level colleges again this year.
Last year, student contribution costs were cut by a third from €3,000 to €2,000, to help ease the financial burden on students and their parents.
With both the return to college and Budget 2024 just around the corner, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has suggested that college fees will be cut again for this year.
Barry Breslin, Student Union President at ATU Donegal, has welcomed the proposals, saying they will help tackle the current cost-of-living crisis burdening students.
“With college life continuing to become more expensive, this fee cut will serve peace of mind,” he said.
“This will leave students with more in their pocket. Each year acquiring new essentials from software to uniforms has been a financial strain upon each student.”
When the measure was first implemented in last year’s budget it was a huge morale boost for the whole campus, Barry explained.
“Students were able to take a breather from the financial struggles they are facing from increasing rent to transport costs.
“If there any new or returning students that have financial worries they can chat to the SU in regards to what financial supports we supply in house to help make the transition to third level as seamless as possible.”
The Students Union President said a worrying trend the union has noticed in recent years was an increased reliance on their in-house Student Assistance Fund, which provides financial support to full or part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college.
“The demand for this support reached an all-time high last year and is expected to be as heavily depended on for the year incoming,” he pointed out
“Luckily there was a boost in funding allocated last year and we at the SU are hoping for that again this year,” he added.
Mr Breslin also stressed how they would like to see action taken towards security around digs for students.
“The government is talking about introducing guidelines which leave no security for the student or responsibility upon the landowner.
“Legislation is desperately needed to be introduced to protect both student and landlord. This in turn would create a safer environment during the housing crisis.
“We at ATU Student Union Donegal are working with landlords if they have any queries around creating their own contracts. But a nationwide approach is urgently needed,” he added.
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