Sinn Féin TD for Kerry describes increase in student fees as "scandalous slap in the face"

A Sinn Féin TD for Kerry has described the government’s decision to increase student fees by €1000 in September as "a scandalous slap in the face".

Deputy Pa Daly has accused the government of being completely out of touch and not understanding that households are already crippled by the cost of groceries, rent, electricity and gas.

Over the last three budgets, a €1,000 reduction in undergraduate fees was applied to the student contribution.

Cabinet has now decided not to repeat this.

But the incoming president of AMLÉ, formerly known as the National Union of Students in Ireland, Brian O'Mahoney says students are losing trust in the government: