Sinn Féin spokesperson on Higher Education, Mairéad Farrell TD, has said the recent report by the Youth Council of Ireland, which showed the average cost of third level education had increased by €500, demonstrates “the government’s failure to address the cost of living crisis for students”.

The report showed that one in five students skip meals to save money, with the cost of living one of the most pressing concerns among two thirds of 18 to 29 year olds.

Teachta Farrell said the cost of living crisis, coupled with the student accommodation crisis, is crippling our young people who feel like they’ve been left behind, and that this “urgently underscores the need to begin the process of scrapping student fees entirely”.

The Galway-West TD said:

“This report makes for grim reading. The fact that students are having to go without meals to save money is shocking.

“To think this is happening in what is supposedly one of the richest countries in the world, one which has setup a new sovereign wealth fund to receive record corporate tax receipts is dystopian in nature.

“Adding insult to injury is the fact that this government keeps telling us that they are listening to students and hearing their concerns.

“Yet when it comes to meaningful action, whether it be on student accommodation or the cost of living, all they get is soundbites, big announcements with little follow through, and patronising social media posts.

“Going to college is supposed to be a time of excitement, of broadening ones horizons, and learning new things. Now it appears to be one of hardship, anxiety and stress.

“Being told that students need to work harder, give up the cappuccinos, and pull yourself up by your bootstraps is insulting. Students feel like the game is rigged against them, and on close inspection – they’re not wrong.

“It’s time this government made a commitment and began the process of phasing out student fees for good.”