Young Fine Gael criticise Budget 2026 student measures and renew call to abolish fees
A representative of Young Fine Gael from Mayo has voiced deep disappointment at the government’s budget measures on higher education, while reaffirming the organisation’s campaign to abolish student fees.
Dean Kenny, a native of Belcarra and Regional Organiser of Young Fine Gael North West, said the new contribution means students will pay more this year than in previous years.
A former President of the University of Galway Students’ Union, Mr Kenny outlined Young Fine Gael’s concerns over affordability:
“We are deeply disappointed that students will face a €500 increase in fees this year compared to last year. This is a setback for affordability and access,” he said.
Ahead of the budget, Young Fine Gael had submitted proposals aimed at easing financial pressures on students.
“In our pre-budget submission to the Minister for Finance, we called for a €1500 permanent reduction to the student contribution charge,” explained Mr Kenny, “to help families and students that are struggling to cover the rising costs of going to college. These include high rents, grocery prices, fuel, transport and much more.”
He added that the budget has not altered the organisation’s position on the abolition of student fees.
“We remain steadfast in our campaign to achieve the complete abolition of the student contribution fee,” he said.
Mr Kenny, the Director of Agriculture & Rural Affairs and Secretary of Mayo Young Fine Gael, stressed that support must go beyond full-time undergraduates: “We will also continue to push for better support and conditions for part-time students, PhD researchers, and apprentices, groups that have long been overlooked in funding decisions.”
While critical of the overall approach, he acknowledged some positive developments, particularly the decision to make the €500 reduction permanent.
“We do welcome the government’s commitment to making the fee reduction permanent, ending the uncertainty and one-off nature of previous budgets,” he said.
He also welcomed other measures, including an increase in the maximum household income threshold for SUSI to €120,000, along with €65 million in funding for 12,500 additional apprenticeship registrations.
Meanwhile, Mayo Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh sharply criticised the government’s handling of student fees.
“No matter what spin the Government put on this budget regarding student fees for third level, their permanent reduction of €500 represents an actual increase of €500 in fees for students in comparison to recent years,” she said.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.