Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Sstudent left in college lecture hall. (File) Alamy Stock Photo

Rise in students facing 'serious financial hardship' as average expenses surpass income

Those experiencing serious financial difficulties rose from 26% to 33% in two years.

STUDENTS ARE FACING “serious financial difficulties” as expenses soar above income, a new report by Eurostudent has found.

In 2022, the overall average monthly income for all students was €1,122, while the average monthly expenditure was €1,340.

Those experiencing serious financial hardship rose from 26% in 2019 to 33% last year.

For “almost all” student groups expenditure exceeds income, which the report says has resulted in people becoming “highly reliant upon external support” from family or partners to afford higher education.

Labour Senator and Annie Hoey has accused Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris of spending “too much time on spin” and not enough on solutions.

“The enormous financial burden of attending further and higher education is well known however it is deeply concerning to learn that things are getting worse, not better, for students despite the newly created Department for Further and Higher Education”, she said.

Plinth statements 007 Labour Senator Annie Hoey. Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

“We are coming close to the time of year when panic around student housing sets in. These private student housing providers are manipulating students and especially their parents who want to ensure that their children are in good quality accommodation when they move away for college.

“Students should not have to spend their entire summer struggling to find an affordable option for accommodation but should be taking time to get ready for the academic year ahead.

“They, like all renters, deserve certainty of tenancy and affordability.”

Student demographics

The proportion of students progressing to third-level has been steadily increasing in recent years.

Since 2019, the numbers of students enrolled in higher education institutions has increased by 6.3%.

While the gender balance at higher level is relatively even, women are more likely to study in areas such as education, healthcare and welfare.

Technology, engineering and construction were more male-dominated. 

A higher proportion of female students attend universities. The survey also found that 11% of the total student population have children. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
10 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Culligan
    Favourite Paul Culligan
    Report
    Dec 5th 2017, 12:42 PM

    Arrested for wanting freedom for his followers? Sitting Bull, William Wallace, George Washington, and our own beloved Patriots, spring to mind. They all paid a price in some fashion or another, but this is 2017.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Honeybadger197
    Favourite Honeybadger197
    Report
    Dec 5th 2017, 12:50 PM

    @Paul Culligan: Yes, the poor oppressed people of Catalonia need a visionary to pull them out of the squalor and degradation of being the wealthiest part of Spain.

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Culligan
    Favourite Paul Culligan
    Report
    Dec 5th 2017, 1:12 PM

    @Honeybadger197: Wealth is NOT Freedom. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery”(Galatians 5:1).

    17
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Honeybadger197
    Favourite Honeybadger197
    Report
    Dec 5th 2017, 1:49 PM

    @Paul Culligan: “Thus sayeth the Lord, use not my words inappropriately lest ye be accused of hyperbole and vacuous false ideas” ( Badgers 7:24)

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marc Esteve
    Favourite Marc Esteve
    Report
    Dec 5th 2017, 1:52 PM

    Spain has withdrawn the arrest warrant because it would have been rejected by Belgium and that would have proved that it is a Fascist regime non compliant with European standards.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Toki Wartooth
    Favourite Toki Wartooth
    Report
    Dec 5th 2017, 2:47 PM

    @Marc Esteve: hahahahahaha! Have you ever been in Spain? I don’t think so because if you would have and you still state that is a fascist country, you have to pass me the number of your dealer because I want to smoke the same that you smoke…

    17
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds