Q&A

Q Who was behind the protest?

AIt was organised by the Union of Students in Ireland, which represents about 250,000 students in 40 third-level institutions. Some 200 buses carried students to and from college campuses nationwide to the protest.

Q What’s it all about?

AAfter social welfare and health, the education sector is the third-largest area of spending for the Government.

About €1.3 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.

Q What did they hope to achieve?

AThey've sent a message to Government and, specifically, 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".

He has given no promises on the matter since he entered Government.

Q Should students be worried?

AProbably. On Tuesday Mr Quinn 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.

Q What’s likely to happen?

AMr 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.

Q What are the third-level institutions saying?

AUCC 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.

It is the general view of the Irish Universities Association that the current third-level funding base is unsustainable.