Local TD warns of rising barriers to third-level education for Offaly families

Offaly Independent TD Carol Nolan has raised concerns over the increasing financial pressures faced by families in Offaly and the wider Midlands in supporting their children to attend third-level education.

Deputy Nolan’s comments follow the publication of a new Irish Independent feeder school survey, which shows a decline in the proportion of students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds progressing to college.

According to the survey, around 59% of students from DEIS schools entered third-level last year, down from 64% in 2024.

Speaking on the issue, Deputy Nolan said she has been highlighting the challenges for several years.

In 2022, she warned that higher education risked becoming “the preserve of the wealthy or those fortunate enough to belong to very high-income families.”

“I accept that there have been some improvements in recent years in terms of allowing students to earn more before their grant access is affected; but the fact remains that very many of the families I am dealing with at constituency level simply cannot bear the cost of fees and accommodation for their children,” she said.

Deputy Nolan added that while parents with moderate incomes may receive small supports of around €500, low-income families reliant on grants still face prohibitive accommodation costs.

She warned that the cost-of-living crisis has evolved into an “access crisis” for families in Offaly and the Midlands, contributing to a widening social divide.

“We must ensure that those with the ability, desire, and ambition to attend third level are able to do so, and that they are not denied access because they went to a DEIS school. That is a complete betrayal of the social contract on the part of the state,” Deputy Nolan concluded.