11/08/2008

University Fees To return?

The reintroduction of third-level fees is being considered by the Department of Education.

It has been confirmed that it is being looked at as an option, but it is understood that any new charges would 'target' better-off families and would not apply to the less well-off.

Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe is understood to be looking at the return of fees in the context of the economic downturn.

However any such significant policy change would require full Government approval.

Since the abolition of fees under the Rainbow coalition in the 1990s, the number of students going on to third-level education has gone up.

However universities have complained of difficulties in competing on the international stage in the absence of funding.

The reintroduction of fees was actually ruled out in last year's programme for Government, so this is a new development.

Labour Party Education Spokesman Ruairi Quinn has said his party would fight any plan by the Government to re-introduce fees, and that there were other ways of raising funds for the sector.

(BMcC)

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