Op-Ed: True value of Higher Education Missing From Debate on ‘Funding the Future’

Image Credit: UCD Students' Union

UCD Students’ Union President Miranda Bauer discusses the need for a more accessible, and affordable, Higher Education System in Ireland.

Students’ Unions were born from a simple but radical idea: that education is a right, not a privilege. Fast forward to 2024, and this battle remains unfinished, as fees have only continued to rise since the introduction of "free fees" under Niamh Breathnach in the 1990s. The fact that we are still debating the abolition of tuition fees is not only disheartening—it signals a failure of the collective student movement in Ireland to fully dismantle these barriers over the past few decades.

Framing the Debate: Why Cost-of-Living Arguments Fall Short

One significant misstep in recent years has been allowing the debate on fees to be co-opted by cost-of-living arguments. It is no secret that students are under immense financial pressure, that rent is skyrocketing and that the price of basic necessities has increased dramatically. 

However, by framing the abolition of fees as a reaction to these economic conditions, opponents have managed to reframe the conversation entirely. They have built a narrative that suggests reforming grants and focusing on those "most in need" is a more measured approach, dismissing the idea of blanket abolition as unnecessary. This has given the Government a safe hiding place from which to claim it is doing enough for students, as well as failing to address the question: How much do we actually value higher education?

This is where we, as students, and more broadly, society, must step in to challenge that view. Education is a public good, and that is why its funding structure matters. The problem with the "help those most in need" argument is that it completely sidesteps the fact that everyone benefits from a well-funded education system—not just students. It’s not just about creating a "talent pipeline" for industry (though this is crucial for Ireland’s economic competitiveness); it’s about nurturing a more cohesive, inclusive society.

A Flawed Argument: The Regressive Label on Free Fees

Opponents of free higher education often argue it benefits wealthier students the most, calling it "regressive." However, this argument misses the point. We’re not suggesting that abolishing fees alone solves the problem of inequality in education access. The issue is broader than that. Free fees don’t automatically create more equitable pathways to education, but that doesn’t mean the goal of higher education free at the point of entry should be abandoned. The reality is that we need both: free education for everyone and targeted measures that address the barriers faced by those from less privileged backgrounds. These approaches are complementary, not mutually exclusive.

The Funding Shortfall: Who Should Pay for Higher Education?

At a recent conference on the future of higher education funding, the €307 million annual shortfall in the system took centre stage. This figure is stark and brings with it a whole raft of problems for Ireland's HE sector and talent pipeline. On that, there is very little disagreement among HE stakeholders and across the political spectrum. The question of tuition fees does not enjoy the same consensus though.

Stacked on one side of the debate were representatives from Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and the Green Party, who argued that targeting financial supports at those in the greatest need and retaining some level of tuition fees for families with higher incomes is sound economic policy. On the other side were Sinn Féin, People Before Profit, and the Labour Party, advocating for full abolition. The conversation quickly devolved into accusations of "populism," with critics dismissing the proposal as financially irresponsible. The real question, however, was never fully addressed: Why should we abolish fees in the first place?

Education as a Cornerstone of the Social Contract

The answer is simple. Education, like healthcare and housing, should be a cornerstone of the social contract. Investing in education pays dividends—both economically and socially. Every cent put into higher education is returned multiple times over, not just through the obvious mechanisms like taxation and economic growth, but through the immeasurable value of an educated, engaged nation. Funnily enough, many of the arguments we hear against abolishing tuition fees today were also used against free second-level education decades ago. Yet, few would argue that free secondary education was a mistake.

The Narrow Focus on Economic Competitiveness

The broader problem is that discussions on higher education funding are often viewed narrowly, through the lens of "Ireland Inc." and its competitiveness on the global stage. While it's true that Ireland's higher education system is at risk of falling behind internationally—particularly with intensifying competition for foreign direct investment—the conversation should be much broader. It's not just about economic returns; it’s about the value of higher education as a vital societal good.

Higher education isn’t just about getting a degree or landing a job (not to dismiss the importance of that), it’s also about shaping informed, engaged, interesting people who contribute to a more democratic and just society. 

At its best, further and higher education also fosters critical thinking, drives social mobility, and encourages civic participation. Beyond individual growth, it can help tackle major challenges like inequality, health, and climate change, while promoting diversity and social cohesion. Universities play a key role in creating leaders and change-makers who are committed to making the world a better, fairer place for everyone. In short, higher education benefits society as a whole, not just the individual. 

Maybe that’s the point though.The cynic in me wonders if the powers that be would rather not fund that.

Budget 2025 and Election Talk: Tinkering Around the Edges

In Budget 2025, the Government once again tinkered around the edges, adjusting student grants and fees, but failed to take the bold steps necessary to truly make education accessible to all. And as we approach an election, parties will no doubt make their pitch to students, but, as was said at the HE Funding conference, this is not a topic that comes up on the doors.

Maybe it should. Maybe students need to shout louder about the importance of higher education—not just for the economy, but for the future of our society. For too long, the dominant voices in this debate have been those concerned with balancing the books. It’s time we reclaimed the conversation and reminded everyone that higher education is not a privilege for the few, but a right for the many. The only truly "regressive" policy would be to continue pricing students out of their futures.

Miranda Bauer is the President of UCD Students’ Union