Third-level education in Ireland will remain closed to poorer parts of society as long as "crippling fees" remain in place for part-time students, the national adult education association believes.

Yesterday, the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin, announced a 22 per cent increase in the "top-up" grants paid to full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

But according to Berni Brady, director of Aontas, some 27,000 part-time students pay approximately €40 million in fees each year.

Many people from socio-economically disadvantaged areas are forced to leave school at an early age; they are often low-skilled, unemployed, or earning the minimum wage.

"If such people wish to return to education in order to increase their skills, often their only option is to enrol as a part-time student in order to balance work, family and financial commitments," she said.

" Yesterday Mary Hanafin said promoting the inclusion of people from disadvantaged areas is a priority for the Government. And yet fees for part-time students remain in place."

"I call on the Minister to abolish these fees for those engaging in third-level education for the first time, or to implement a form of grant aid that would actively support part-time students."