What's happening?
Some 20,000 students are expected to in Dublin this afternoon for the “Stop Fees” protest. People will begin gathering at 12.30pm in Parnell Square, and the protest will proceed from there to Government Buildings at 2.30pm.
Who's involved?
The protest is being organised by the Union of Students in Ireland, which represents about 250,000 students in 40 third level institutions. Some 200 buses will carry students to and from college campuses nationwide to the demonstration.
It comes at a time when the Government has been warned that the overall quality of higher education in Ireland is set to deteriorate sharply unless a crisis in funding is addressed.
What's it over?
After social welfare and health, the education sector is the third largest area of spending for the Government. About €1.1 billion is spent on higher education annually, and with €3.8 billion in savings to be sought in next month’s budget the union reckons students could be seen as “soft targets”.
The union believes the student contribution charge - which it describes as fees by another name - could be raised again above the current €2,000 level and that some student grant payments could be reduced or cut entirely.
Who do they want to take notice?
They're sending a message to Government and, specifically, the Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn. The union has frequently pointed out that before the general election in February Mr Quinn 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”.
Should students be worried?
Probably. Mr Quinn yesterday 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.
What's likely to happen?
Mr Quinn is understood to favour an increase in the €2,000 student contribution charge rather than the return of college fees. Other options, including the return of college fees averaging €5,000 per year and a student loan/graduate tax scheme, remain under consideration.
A recent report commissioned by Mr Quinn noted the introduction of a cap on student numbers may be necessary while third-level colleges continue to struggle to cope with a deepening funding crisis - a development the union said would be disastrous.
What are the third-level institutions saying?
Not too much. UCC president Dr Michael Murphy last week said fees of at least €4,500 to €5,000 per year are necessary to maintain the quality of higher education in Ireland.