Minister for Education carrying out technical evaluation for third level student loans – Pringle

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Updated: 5th April 2017

Press Release – April 5th, 2017
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Responding to Deputy Pringle’s Dáil question the Minister for Education has revealed that he is to go ahead with implementing alternative funding options including employer contributions and is carrying out a ‘technical evaluation’ to consider the potential introduction of a student loan scheme.

“I questioned the Minister whether student loans would be introduced and I was shocked to hear he has already taken some measures which would facilitate a transition towards of a student loan funding model. I am seeking further clarification on this matter but as it stands the Minister has gone ahead with a technical evaluation and has already brought in the private sector in the form of employer contributions which is a strong indication of his intentions towards the introduction of a full or partial student loan model.

“The consequences of such a model would be catastrophic to students and their families in Ireland. We already know that where student loans have been introduced in the UK, Australia and the US, debt burden is a huge problem and access rates decrease due to the financial barrier, particular in the mature and part-time student cohort.

“The Minister is also sidestepping the Committee process which is currently considering the funding options outlined in the Cassells’ Report which Fine Gael itself commissioned back in 2014. This is a flagrant breach of the democratic process and the fact that he is going ahead without the full consultation of Union of Students in Ireland and other representative bodies is unacceptable.
“The USI was in Leinster House briefing TDs and Senators at the exact time that the Minister announced his intention to sidestep the Committee process and as indicated in his response to my Dáil question, intends to work towards a student loan model to some varying degree.

“I would urge all parties in the House to consider counteracting any proposal which either supports or fully implements a third level student loan model in this country. Education must be seen as a right, and only a publicly funded model would work to secure this. There multiple ways of funding through general taxation that would not place an already huge financial burden on students and their families, let alone the economy as it strains under the weight of loan defaults” concludes Pringle.
ENDS

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