THE MINISTER for Education has denied that he has any plans to reintroduce third-level fees.
However Ruairí Quinn acknowledged yesterday that student loans were no longer being considered “as a practical way of funding third-level education”.
In a statement, his spokesman said the Minister “has not warned or signalled that third-level fees are on the way back”.
Mr Quinn has refused to rule out the return of fees since taking office, despite a pre-election commitment ruling out increases in college charges
Asked last month if new charges were planned, he said: “I honestly can’t say. We are looking for efficiencies in the system at third level. I am not ruling anything in or out until we get into the detailed negotiations with the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Public Expenditure . . . I have said to Brendan Howlin that I will deliver.”
While his Fianna Fáil predecessors favoured an Australian-style student loan scheme, Mr Quinn has narrowed his options by ruling this out.
The Government’s approach to fees is likely to be shaped by a forthcoming report on third-level funding. Mr Quinn has asked the the Higher Education Authority to examine the funding crisis ahead of expected Cabinet discussions in the autumn on possible new charges.
The authority’s report is expected to conclude that the current funding model is unsustainable. Earlier this year, the Hunt report said annual funding for higher education must increase by €500 million a year, from €1.3 billion to €1.8 billion by 2020, if academic quality and the full range of student services were to be maintained.
Mr Quinn has also conceded that it is “hard to see” how higher education can meet the targets set for it by Government without new revenue streams. Mr Quinn’s spokesman said: “The Minister does acknowledge that a sustainable method of funding third level must be found in order to meet the funding needs of our universities and colleges in the face of rising enrolment and greater demands.
“To this end, the Minister asked the HEA earlier this year to report back to him in the autumn on the options available to put third level on a sustainable footing.”
From September, students face a €2,000 registration fee – up from €1,500 last year.
The Union of Students in Ireland has said it is outraged by the latest signals from Mr Quinn.
Mr Quinn signed a pledge organised by the union prior to the election promising not to increase student fees or cut student supports. The union pledge stated: “If elected, I will oppose and campaign against any new form of third-level fees including student loans, graduate taxes and any further increase in the student contribution.”
Union president Gary Redmond called on Mr Quinn to honour the commitment he made to thousands of students and families across the country.