Students will be screwed under FG’s graduate tax

Date: 20/02/2011
Posted by: Darragh

Fine Gael’s plan for a graduate tax will screw every student in Ireland and will have a significant impact on the courses they select.

The graduate tax is without doubt a return of third level fees in another name.

Under Fine Gael graduates will pay “through the PRSI system in the order of 30% of the cost of their undergraduate course when they are working.” (FG Third Way Document)

This will mean substantial debt for graduates. The graduate contribution for a 3 year Arts degree will cost on average €11,400, a four year Science degree €16,338 and an Engineering degree €17,096.

The knock on effect of this will see school leavers choose cheaper courses as opposed to the type of courses we need to progress Ireland’s smart economy agenda such as engineering.

Fine Gael has the smugness to suggest that this tax should not be a disincentive for students from lower income families. In reality the payment of the graduate tax will affect all graduates regardless of wealth or level of income and some of our brightest and best will have no choice but to opt out of third level education entirely as a result.

This tax will hit students hard from the moment they begin earning an income and it will be a considerable burden on their shoulders for years after graduating. It is clear Fine Gael has no interest in harnessing the talents of our young people.