November 20, 201211/20/12
Students will go to the polls this week to decide their stance on the future funding of higher education.
The following question will appear on the ballot paper and students will answer in order of preference:
Do you want the Students’ Union to lobby for the:
- Introduction of means tested Tuition Fees
- Introduction of Graduate Tax
- Introduction of a Student Loan Scheme
- Student Contribution Fee of €3,000 (status-quo)
- Introduction of a fully free system funded by conventional taxation
On Monday night, a debate was held on the issue with speakers arguing the pros and cons of each topic.
First up to the podium was Jack Maloney of Debate Soc, arguing in favour of a graduate tax.
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Paul Henry of DCU Young Fine Gael spoke on the subject of the student loan.
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DCU Ógra Fianna Fáil’s Barry Gillen also spoke on behalf of the student loan.
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Ronan Horde from the DCU Socialist Party argued on the motion of fully free education.
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Chair of DCU Labour Sean Rooney concluded the debate, also speaking in favour of fully free education.
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Q&A
“Question 1 – Where will the extra income for free education come from?”
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Question 2 – How is the loan scheme different from just walking into a bank and getting a normal loan?
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Question 3 – How can we trust the government to use any kind of graduate tax to fund education?
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Question 4 & 5 – With the loan system, how do we guard against year on year increases? and Will people who graduated from college several years ago have to pay a potential graduate tax?
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Question 6 – Why isn’t education the priority for the government?
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Returning Officer Steve Conlon concluded the meeting by encouraging students to go out and have their say on Wednesday and Thursday.
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