There will be no reintroduction of third-level tuition fees in the Budget, Tánaiste and Minister for Education Mary Coughlan has confirmed.
Ms Coughlan was speaking at an event in Dublin today.
A strategy group examining higher education is expected 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.
But the revised programme for government agreed between Fianna Fáil and Green Ministers last year promised no student fees during the lifetime of this Government.
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) claims 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.
The union today welcomed Ms Coughlan's announcement but said it was concerned that attempts may be made by the Government to introduce third-level fees "through the back door, in the guise of increased registration fees".
It said the registration fee had already risen by 780 per cent (from €190 to €1,500) since its inception and any further increases wouldy make third level education inaccessible for thousands of people.
"USI is opposed to college fees, in any form, including inflated registration fees, or graduate taxes. The core mantra of the organisation is to strive for an educational system that is free and accessible to all," the union said in a statement.
USI president Gary Redmond said access to education and upskilling were the key components to future economic growth, prosperity and, crucially, job creation and retention.
Some 55,000 Leaving Certificate students will tomorrow receive the results of their summer exams.
The required CAO points for most college courses are expected to increase when they are published next week, due to a surge in demand for third-level college places.
A tighter jobs market has driven up competition for places, with final CAO figures showing a 4 per cent increase in applications for level 8 or higher degree courses.