'Significant costs' holding many students back from getting a car says Leitrim councillor

A Leitrim councillor has said there are many obstacles standing in the way of students purchasing a vehicle to take them to and from college. 

He was speaking after cross-country Eurostudent surveys found that around 42% of students in Ireland live at home and commute to college on a regular basis. This compares to a European average of 34% and has been steadily growing over time. 

Leitrim councillor Padraig Fallon said that the cost involved in purchasing a vehicle means many students have to rely on public transport. "There is the purchase of a vehicle, motor tax, insurance and maintenance and running costs of a vehicle and they are very significant. You are talking thousands of euros alone for insurance and motor tax, fuel costs etc. That's not even including the cost of the vehicle."

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The Eurostudent data also reveal that students living at home in Ireland have relatively high rates of dissatisfaction with their location (27% versus a European average of 15%) and commute time (41% versus 32%). One reason for this is that their average one-way commute is 52 minutes, compared to just 17 minutes for those living in student accommodation with many commuter students are spending well in excess of two hours travelling every day.

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Cllr Fallon continued that commuting can have negative impacts on the lives of students. "It can have an impact on study and assignments and your coursework. That is of a huge concern for many students and I have heard that from students where it means they are putting in very long days and it's something that needs to be addressed."