Concern expressed over spiralling education costs

Offaly Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen has said he is extremely concerned that spiralling costs are making it harder for Offaly students to get a third level education. With latest CSO figures showing education cost rises of almost ten per cent, Deputy Cowen said the risk of the cost of college being put beyond the reach of more and more families in Offaly is increasing. "Due to a series of broken promises by the Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, the cost of going to college has become significantly more expensive this year," Deputy Cowen said. "In total, Minister Quinn is planning four increases in the student contribution fee. It went up to €2,250 for September this year and will go up another three times until it is set at €3,000. This is an increasing pressure on students along with rental costs and transport costs." Deputy Cowen said the number of people graduation from third level in Offaly has increased steadily over the years. "We know from years of experience that strengthening our education system and increasing the number of college graduates is of huge benefit for job creation in the country," he said. "However we cannot allow a situation to develop where college is only available to families of means." Deputy Cowen said his party is opposed to any further increase in student contribution fees, and is looking at ways to address funding problems without burdening students more. "The evidence is mounting that families in Offaly and across the country are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet and Government policy should not be making it more difficult for parents to put their children through college," he concluded.