Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has called on the Government to reverse its decision to reinstate exam fees for Junior and Leaving Certificate students as households struggle with the cost-of-living pressure.

Teachta Crowe’s call comes as parents have started receiving letters requesting payment of the fees during a week that has seen fuel prices skyrocket.

Teachta Crowe said:

“The last thing parents need is another bill landing in their door. They are now being asked to pay €109 per Junior Cert student and €116 per Leaving Cert student.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael chose to reinstate these exam fees in October’s budget, fully aware of the pressure on working households due to rising prices and big bills.

“These letters are landing at a time when people are being hammered by rapid increases in fuel costs. Families are struggling to fill their cars and heat their homes. They’re watching every euro and now the Government comes to squeeze them even more.

“It demonstrates again that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are completely out of touch with the pressure people are under, and utterly clueless about the daily miracles parents perform to stretch the household budget and keep the show on the road.

“The Government easily finds the money to gift generous tax breaks to corporate landlords and fast food chains. So, they should be able to find the money needed to abolish state exam fees. I am calling on the Minister to reverse this decision immediately, scrap state exam fees, and give families a break.”