A group of over sixty third level students from across the country gathered outside the Department of Further and Higher Education on Monday demanding a cut in third level fees in Tuesday’s Budget. 

Representatives from AMLÉ (Aontas na Mac Léin, formally Union of Students in Ireland), along with members of various university student unions attended the demonstration demanding the government lower fees for third level students. 

Many travelled from across the country for the protest, including representatives from University of Galway, and SETU Carlow. 

Some of the speakers at the event highlighted the cost of accommodation across the country, and that many technological universities have no on campus accommodation. 

One speaker said that only 18% of accommodation at University College Cork was owned by the college. 

Also in attendance was the Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik, who said that education should be free. 

“We will be fighting to ensure this budget does see a permanent reduction in fees,” she said. 

As it stands, fees are currently around €3,000 for most students. But for the past three years, when the department was under Simon Harris and his successor Patrick O’Donovan, third level fees were reduced by €1,000 for the year, an act which was repeated each year. 

Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael committed to cutting fees over the lifetime of the government during the 2024 election campaign, and it is something which features in the Programme for Government. 

But the new minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless, shocked many students earlier this summer when he announced that it was unlikely that there would be another €1,000 reduction in Budget 2026. 

Recent reports suggest that there will be a permanent €500 cut in fees this year, rather than another one-off reduction. 

This news has angered students across the country, leading to Monday’s protest outside of the Minister’s office on Stephen’s Green. 

Speakers led chants off, “Hey hey, ho ho! Student fees have got to go!” and “No way we won’t pay!” 

There were also some expletive laden chants. 

The attendees at the protest are hopeful that they got their message across. 

“I think it’s a shame to be honest,” said Barry Sexton, Vice President for Welfare and Equality in SETU Carlow Student’s Union. 

“The Government is absolutely swelling with money. There’s money coming from every corner in this government,” he said. 

“They don’t need to take money from the students, of all people, the most underprivileged people in the country.”  

“Paying an extra €500 for people who are impoverished and less well-off is absolutely devastating.” 

For Barry, he isn’t confident that the Government will keep their promise to abolish fees. “I don’t see it happening any time soon. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are in government together so they obviously should be working on the same goals, and they shouldn’t be falling back on what the other said to escape out of it.” 

Most of the students felt strongly about the issue of fees. Amelia Flanagan, Environmental Officer for Trinity College, Dublin, Student’s Union said, “this is student fees, and if we can’t stand up for ourselves in this regard, what we stand up for ourselves, if we’re not showing out, then what’s the point of a student’s union existing if we can’t protest against a fee rise for ourselves?” 

Grace O’Malley, Health Science VP for TCD SU shared a similar sentiment. “I think from a health science aspect as well, we already have so many hidden costs in our course like our uniforms, transportation, placements, living on placement, having to work unpaid for the entire week, and on top of that having to work an actual job where we do get paid.” 

“Now our fees are going up, and we’re not even sure if they are going up. We’re going back to college, unsure, uncertain, and scared of what’s going to happen,” she said. 

A spokesman for Minister Lawless told TheCity.ie that, “Budget negotiations are ongoing, and Minister Lawless remains committed to securing the strongest possible package for students and their families, with a clear focus on directing the greatest support to those who need it most. This, of course, remains dependent on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.” 

The issue of fees is sure to be one of the biggest stories from this week’s budget and will be watched closely by students and their families across the country.