Waterford Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness has branded government plans to hike college fees by €1,000 in a cost of living crisis a ‘betrayal’ students and parents won’t forget. He called on Waterford’s two Government TDs Mary Butler and John Cummins to side with Waterford families and students in opposing this move.
He was speaking ahead of Sinn Féin’s Dáil motion this week to cut fees as part of a plan to completely abolish them, which will coincide with a student and joint opposition protest outside Leinster House.
Teachta McGuinness said:
“There is a cost-of-living crisis raging and instead of helping students and parents the government is adding fuel to the fire.
“Minister for Higher Education, James Lawless, sent real fear through households last Sunday when he said fees would go up by €1,000 because there was no cost-of-living package in this year’s budget.
“This was the last thing students and their parents needed or expected to hear.
“Promises had been made, not only in the election campaign, but in black and white in the programme for government.
“Students and parents across have made decisions based on the commitment that fees would not go up.
“This is a suckerpunch to families that have simply not planned or budgeted for an extra €1,000 for every student.
“I have been contacted by families across Waterford that are extremely worries about the increase, and with the short time frame open to them to come up with the additional cash.
“This will impact over 90,000 students across the state, and for many will mean the difference between going to college or not.
“We have the financial resources, and it makes economic sense to invest in your people.
“The government needs to turn around and go in the opposite direction on college fees. They should be reducing fees like they promised.
“Education is a right and should be free and available to everyone.
“I am calling on Waterford’s two Government TDs, Mary Butler and John Cummins to support Sinn Féin’s motion this week.”
ENDS
Sinn Féin’s Dáil motion can be read here: https://sinnfein.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Student-fees-Dail-motion-July-2025.pdf
Conor D. McGuinness TD 