USI says protests to go on until fees off agenda

THERE WOULD be ongoing protests and demonstrations against the reintroduction of third-level fees until the Government withdrew the threat, the deputy president of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has said.

Dave Curran was speaking at a "small, symbolic" protest outside Trinity College Dublin yesterday. This comprised eight students, standing side by side at the front gate of the Trinity area, which was closed for about five minutes, the duration of the protest. They were holding cards spelling out: "Don't lock us out of college. No fees."

"This a small protest but it's intended as symbolic. We are standing here outside Trinity, the main entrance is closed. We're saying if fees are reintroduced it will have the effect of closing college to many people, especially from lower-income families.

"Reintroducing fees would be a drastic, retrograde step. We need to encourage more people into third level and to expand education as a central part of a knowledge economy," said Mr Curran.

He said the Government was "just looking around at anywhere they can save money" and third-level fees were an easy target.

It was already hugely expensive to be at college even without fees, he continued. Studies had shown it cost €38,000 to complete a four-year degree. "That's taking in rent, books, bills - just the cost of living. To slap fees on top of that - about €30,000 - well, if you have four kids in one family, fees would make it impossible for many."

There were other areas the Government should be examining to make savings: "There is huge waste and overspend. They need to end waste and overspend, not free third-level education."

Mr Curran said there would be further protests. "We're organising ongoing demonstrations throughout the year, drawing the public's attention to this, until the Government says fees are not on the agenda."