THE GOVERNMENT has no plans to reintroduce college fees, Minister for Education Mary Coughlan is expected to confirm today.
Yesterday, The Irish Timesreported how the strategy group examining higher education is set to back new student charges.
Economist Dr Colin Hunt, who chairs the group, has said more “non State funding’’ is required as the third level sector is facing a funding crisis. His report is expected to be published in September.
Education sources say the Minister will clarify later today how the Government has no intention of backing fees, even if this move is endorsed by the Hunt report.
The revised programme for government agreed between Fianna Fáil and Green Ministers last year promised no student fees during the lifetime of this Government.
But the financial crisis facing colleges – and the huge projected increase in student numbers over the next decade – is giving the fees debate fresh momentum.
Meanwhile, students have voiced their opposition to any reintroduction of fees, warning any such move would force thousands to drop out of college.
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) said tuition fees, in the form of a graduate tax or any other guise would prevent thousands of people from accessing college and force thousands of students to drop out of colleges and universities.
During a briefing with USI last week, Dr Hunt would not be drawn on the specifics of any aspects of the Hunt report.
USI expressed concern that leaks from the report prior to its publication are what it called “a kite-flying exercise to garner public support’’ for fees.
USI president, Gary Redmond said education needs to be the main focus of the national economic recovery plan. But any move to reintroduce fees would cut participation instead of widening it.
“The return of college fees, disguised as a tax on graduates or in any other form, will only stunt Ireland’s recovery.
“Tuition fees will act as a major barrier to higher education. We need to be encouraging people to upskill, not prevent them from doing so.
“Hard-working people have already been hit hard by this recession. Now the Government wants to hit them even harder by charging them to go to college. USI will stand by Ireland’s current and potential students in fighting for their right to a free education. They are the key to dragging Ireland out of this recession.”
Leaders from student unions have gathered this week for USI’s annual union organisation seminar, where plans to combat the return of fees are top of the agenda.
USI – the sole national representative body for almost 250,000 students in Ireland – fought successfully in the past to abolish tuition fees, and to keep them off the Government’s agenda.
