Cllr. Fiona Kerins condemns the use of debt collection services by Irish universities to recover student fees

Cllr. Fiona Kerins condemns the use of debt collection services by Irish universities to recover student fees Sinn Fein’s Cllr. Fiona Kerins has condemned the news that some Irish universities are engaging the services of private debt collection agencies in order to recover fees from students. While there is no indication that such a decision has been made by University College Cork, Cllr. Kerins is alarmed that both University College Dublin and University of Limerick have recently resorted to such measures. Cllr.Kerins stated: “The growing trend of universities employing debt collection agencies to force students into handing over money with which they cannot afford to part is deplorable. I hope this tactic of intimidation is not something that will be foisted upon students in Cork. It is little more than bullying. It is behaviour more expected in a primary school playground than from the management of a university." “This comes at a time when the support funding system for third level students in Ireland has virtually collapsed. The SUSI system has been a complete disaster and this debacle has meant that many students are only starting to receive their grants now.” “The increase in student fees over the last number of years has compelled a great deal of students drop out of college and now, in a climate of employment uncertainty, they must also worry about a knock on the door from a debt collector. I know that universities must balance their books but is it acceptable for centres of learning to take such an uncompromising approach? I don’t think so. It is sad that students are now seen as easy prey in the currrent climate." “The USI is correct in saying that universities should be directing resources internally towards engaging with students in order to arrive at mutually agreeable understandings. I think there is even room for an appreciation of the circumstances of those with long standing debts given the protracted nature of the economic crisis. The USI president has called on Ruairí Quinn to prohibit the use of debt collectors and I would certainly concur with that demand.” ENDS