The controversial €670 student registration fee looks set become a permanent feature of the third-level system for students and parents, according to a confidential Department of Education circular.
The circular says the charge - which prompted a furious reaction from students and parents during the summer - will bring in revenue for the Exchequer this year and into the future.
The Union of Students in Ireland last night expressed dismay about the charge being irreversible. USI president, Mr Colm Jordan, said: "This is what we always expected, the return of fees by the back door. We do not accept that this charge is here to stay."
A memo signed by a principal officer in the higher education section, Ms Ruth Carmody, states: "The increase in the charge is intended to secure savings to the Exchequer in 2002 and in subsequent financial years."
While the registration fee has been in place for some time, student groups had hoped the new higher level of charge would be a once-off. The circular which has been sent to all third-level colleges imposes a strict November 1st deadline for the registration of all students.
Some colleges have privately admitted they will still register students who do not have the financial means to pay the €670 charge in full. One senior figure said that, despite the recent furore, colleges would be slow to turn away students who could not pay the full amount.
USI has advised students to pay the charge even though it is furious about the new levy. It believes it would be irresponsible to advise students to pursue any course of action which might put their place at risk. But a left-wing group in UCD has advised students to boycott the charge.
The fee was introduced during the summer as part of the education cutbacks. The charge will save the Exchequer an estimated €16 million this year. The Cabinet agreed last week on a package of €36 million of education cutbacks. The Department said yesterday there would be no more education cutbacks in the current financial year.
USI is set to step up its campaign against the charges with a series of nationwide demonstrations during the next month.
In a separate development, USI welcomed the scheduling of the Nice referendum on a Saturday. Mr Jordan said this would allow students who return home for the weekend to exercise their democratic right.