MINISTER FOR Education Ruairí Quinn has said it would be misleading for him to make any promises regarding the funding of third-level education or on student fees ahead of the budget.
Mr Quinn’s comments are likely to anger student leaders who have called on him to honour a Union of Students in Ireland (USI) pre-election pledge he signed last February in which he promised to “oppose and campaign against any new form of third-level fees including student loans, graduate taxes and any further increase in the student contribution”.
More than 20,000 students are expected to join today’s “Stop Fees” protest in Dublin organised by the USI.
Speaking at an event in Tallaght yesterday afternoon, Mr Quinn refused to give any assurances on the contents of the budget. “We’re not in that space anymore,” Mr Quinn said.
“The politics of promises, if you like, in the present economic situation are such and are on a scale that I don’t think any of us fully realise that no such promises can be given and any such promises would be misleading.”
Tight security is expected at today’s demonstration as gardaí attempt to avoid any repetition of the violence which marred last year’s student protest.
Protesters are due to arrive at Government Buildings at about 2.30pm. Almost 200 buses will carry students from colleges across the State to the march, where they will protest against further increases in college fees.
Last year’s march – the largest student protest in a generation – was marked by violent clashes in which bricks, beer cans, eggs and placards were hurled at gardaí. The USI distanced itself from a group of breakaway protesters involved in clashes outside the Department of Finance.
Today’s protest will highlight how Labour promised to “protect higher education maintenance grants from any and all cuts”.
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore also signed the USI pledge, publicly reaffirming the Labour Party’s commitment to no increase in student charges.
Students face both cuts in grant support and higher student charges in the budget.
Yesterday, The Irish Times reported that Mr Quinn favours increases to the €2,000 student contribution charge – rather than the return of college fees averaging more than €5,000.
However, other options – including a graduate tax – are also under discussion.
Cuts in postgraduate research grants and maintenance support are also being considered.
Fine Gael’s election manifesto also promised no further increase in third-level fees. Its manifesto said: “We will not increase the student registration fee further. Instead, we will pursue greater pay and non-pay efficiencies in the third-level system through greater flexibility in working arrangements, in line with the Croke Park agreement.”
Last night, USI president Gary Redmond said: “There are currently three choices for young Irish people – college, emigration or the dole.
“Any increase in college fees or additional cuts to student supports will ensure that a third-level education is not an option for thousands of young people across the country.”
A recent DIT survey said a four-year degree would cost the average student living away from home more than €30,000.
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Watch videos of the march and expert analysis from Education Editor Seán Flynn