Third-level fees may be re-introduced as early as October, Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, confirmed today.
The Minister said he intended to put proposals before the Cabinet and "bring the matter to finality within two to three weeks through government so that it can be implemented by October".The plans to re-introduce fees could prove problematic for the Government as the PDs and at least nine Fianna Fáil back-benchers are known to oppose the move.
A spokesperson from the Department could not confirm the details of the proposals saying that a final draft had still not been completed, but it is thought that they will include the introduction of an Australian-style loans scheme.
The Labour Party's Ms Jan O'Sullivan accused the Minister of showing a "callous disregard" for students and putting them under increased pressure just weeks before they sit the Leaving Certificate.
"The Minister's proposal for an Australian-style loan system would lead to a brain-drain from Ireland and close the college gates to families that are now beginning to access third level for the first time."
Earlier, the Taoiseach suggested in the Dáil that third-level fees may be re-introduced only for families with six figure incomes. Mr Ahern said that fees would not be introduced for families in receipt of a moderate or even a high income. But he said it was unsatisfactory when there were people earning several hundred thousand pounds a year entitled to free fees.
"Nobody is talking about bringing in fees for people on moderate or even on what most people would regard as high incomes. It does not make much sense," Mr Ahern said.Nonetheless there were "people who have incomes in excess of several hundred thousand euro who get free education and there are other people who live on welfare who cannot get access to education," he added.
Ms Olwyn Enright of Fine Gael said the Taoiseach's comments were "inept and misleading".
The proposals to re-introduce third-level fees were originally promised last November, but have been repeatedly delayed since then.