Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Bhí mic léinn ó Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, i dteagmháil liom le roinnt seachtainí anuas faoin bhrú uafásach airgeadais atá orthu. Tá mé tar éis fadhb na táillí do na hathscrúduithe a ardú leis an Aire i litir cheana féin. Fuair siad réidh leis na táillí seo i go leor ollscoileanna, ach ní bhfuair siad réidh leo in Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh do dtí seo. Impím ar an Aire brú a chur ar an ollscoil sin fáil réidh leis na táillí seo.

I have been contacted by a large number of students in recent weeks and months in regard to their precarious financial situation on the return to third level education. Young people have been hit very hard by this pandemic. Many have lost their jobs, others have been unable to take up summer work and, at the same time, many have been ineligible for the pandemic unemployment payment as a result of the nature of their jobs. As another blow, many find themselves just above the threshold and, therefore, outside the eligibility criteria for SUSI, and we have, of course, seen an extra 2,600 students apply for SUSI.

Bhí cúpla duine ón nGaeltacht, a bhíonn ag obair i gcoláistí samhraidh na Gaeltachta de ghnáth, i dteagmháil liom. Chaill siad amach ar an obair seo mar gheall ar an bpaindéim. Bíonn siad ag brath ar an airgead a fhaigheann siad ón obair seo chun íoc as an ollscoil, ach níor cuireadh é sin san áireamh agus iad ag cur isteach i gcomhair SUSI.

The reality is that even if people are in receipt of SUSI, it no longer covers rent. NUI Galway students union has highlighted that the cheapest room in the new student accommodation is at a cost of €8,800. Let us be realistic about this. That is out of reach of most 18-year-olds and highlights once again the huge financial pressures students find themselves under.

I have contacted the Minister directly in regard to the repeat exam fee being levied on students in NUI Galway. Students are being asked to pay €295 for repeat exams in that institution despite these exams being held online and despite the fact most universities have waived this fee. I urge the Minister to intervene in this calamity and to ask that NUI Galway would follow the example of other universities in waiving this fee.

I understand that, because of the continuous underfunding of this sector by successive Governments, the third level sector has to rely on other income sources for funding. However, last year, according to figures I received, NUI Galway collected €340,539.97 in repeat fees. How did we ever get to the point where institutions are relying on students failing exams to fund our education system?

Students are being told they will be spending approximately 30% of the semester on campus, yet there is absolutely no let-up in fees. One woman contacted me today to say that her fees have increased for the part-time course she is doing despite all lectures being online for the first semester. Students in NUI Galway are also being asked to pay a levy of €240 to register despite this being used towards clubs and societies. I do not see how this can be justified when, realistically, most of it will be online.

This pandemic has highlighted once again the real inequality in our education system. The costs I have highlighted are massive barriers to people who want to enter third level education. I urge the Minister to intervene in this regard.

See this speech in context