The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) held a demonstration outside Trinity College today advising Leaving Cert students they may face payments should they enrol in third-level courses.
In recent months Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe has signalled that a student loan system may play a part in Government plans for funding the third level sector. The system, if implemented, would likely come into effect in September 2010, meaning students who enrol this year would then face payments.
USI president Peter Mannion said Mr O'Keeffe appeared to be on a "quest" to bring back third-level fees. "It seems grossly unfair that the students who get their Leaving Cert results today will be signing up to a system that they don't know the full and true cost of," he said.
About 30 students attended the demonstration, many carried placards and plastic chains to symbolise the weight they feel a student loan would place on their shoulders.
UCD student union president Gary Redmond said it was unfair that students who filled out CAO applications in the belief the State would pay for their education "could be saddled with all this debt".
The USI estimates that a four year arts degree currently costs students €30,000 in books, course materials, accommodation and travel. They say this would increase by €10,000 per year if the current scheme was abolished. "This would leave these students crippled by debt upon graduation," said TCD student union president Cónán Ó Broin.
"This is Batt O'Keeffe, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party selling out the future of the country", Mr Redmond added.
In July a report put before Cabinet said arts graduates would have to pay a minimum of €21,000 - or €5,250 per year - under a loan scheme.