Labour Youth supports anti fees campaign

Issued : Friday 5 December, 2008

Labour Youth fully support the aims of Free Education for All (FEE), a non partisan group of student activists who are in favour of free education, in particular Third Level, according to Brian O'Connor, Labour Youth Vice Chair and Campaigns Officer.

Mr O'Connor said: "Education is a right and not a privilege. If Batt O'Keefe reintroduces fees at 3rd level and raises those of 4th level postgraduate, he will only prevent Ireland from realising the knowledge economy that is vital to future economic well being.

"There is a major problem with financing education in this country but neither fees nor a graduate tax are the answer. Funding a student through a four-year degree already costs €38,000 before fees or books, according to a recent Bank of Ireland survey.

"Tuition fees will add an extra €4000-8000 per year to this already exorbitant bill. There is a large amount of wasted money in universities and other institutions. This must be solved before college presidents and others start looking for more money."

ENDS

Contact: Brian O'Connor, 086-157-9058