Registration fees could be increased

By Paul O’Brien Political Correspondent

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

THE Green Party has admitted that third-level registration fees could be increased in the December budget.

A spokesman for Green leader John Gormley said there could be "variation" in the registration fees, but insisted they would not be substantial.

The Greens secured a commitment in last week’s revised Programme for Government that the coalition would not reintroduce third-level fees. However, the opposition subsequently claimed that the Government would simply hike registration fees to make up for this.

Third-level fees are continuing charges for the student’s education, while registration fees are a charge for services provided to students.

While third-level fees were abolished in 1995, registration fees have been climbing steadily in recent years. In last year’s budget, the fees were raised by 66% to €1,500.

That has led to fears that the fees will be raised once more in December’s budget.

Speaking yesterday, the Green spokesman said he could not provide a guarantee that the registration fees would not be increased.

"I’m not going to start speaking for the Minister for Finance," he said.

But he insisted registration fees would not be used as a way of introducing third-level fees by stealth.

"Registration fees will not be used as a vehicle for [third-level] fees by the back door," the spokesman said.

"They might be varied – up or down. Whatever variation there will be, they will not be tantamount to fees," he said.

A spokesman for the Taoiseach was similarly unable to provide a commitment that registration fees would not be increased.

However, the spokesman insisted registration fees and third-level fees were separate issues. He pointed to a radio interview by Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe on Monday in which Mr O’Keeffe explained the distinction.

In the interview, Mr O’Keeffe indicated registration fees would only be increased if the Higher Education Authority believed third-level institutions were providing services of greater value than the amount of money charged.

"We can’t put it up if the institutes and colleges are not providing the service amounting to €1,500 per student," Mr O’Keeffe said.

"If they are costing above that and if they can prove the services are above that, then obviously that is a consideration we will take into account."

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, October 14, 2009