Angry students warn Government against doubling third-level registration fees

STUDENTS issued a strong warning to the Government on college registration fees in the first of a series of regional protests yesterday.

Approximately 4,000 people turned out on the streets of Limerick to voice their anger at reports that the Department of Education is considering almost doubling the fee to €1,300. Education Minister Noel Dempsey sparked outrage last year when he increased the charge by 69%, from €396 to €670.

Student union leaders claimed last week to have been told another major hike was planned, bringing out a strong contingent from all four of Limerick’s third level institutions.

“Any move to further increase the college registration fee would cancel out the beneficial effects of the free fees system for third level students,” said Union of Students in Ireland campaign officer Gareth Keogh.

“The fact that the Department of Education has not clarified its position on the matter has added further fuel to the fire that this decision has already been made,” he said.

Yesterday’s protest brought together students from University of Limerick, Limerick Institute of Technology, Limerick School of Art and Design and Mary Immaculate College. They were addressed outside Limerick City Hall by USI leaders and local student union officials.

The Department of Education has been unable to rule out a significant increase in the registration fee for next year. A spokesperson said any decision would normally be made in the summer, on the recommendation of the Higher Education Authority.

According to a recent USI survey, the cost of studying away from home is €6,300 a year, not including the registration fee which currently brings that cost to almost €7,000.

“For a family with two or three children in college, a further increase will present an unprecedented strain on finances,” Mr Keogh said.

He said students were just as angry about this issue as when they marched against the threat of tuition fees last autumn. They also protested at cuts in funding for third level colleges.

A series of student protests are planned around the country over the next two months, culminating in a march on the Department of Finance on Budget day in December.

Mr JP McArdle, Southern Area Officer of the Union of Students of Ireland said: “Some students will have to leave third level education altogether and some will have borrow more money which will put massive pressure on parents,” Mr McArdle said.

Students will have to find up to €4,000 a year to pay for registration fees, rent and books.

“The Government want third level students to pay for their own fees and they don’t want the State to pay for it. Ireland has the lowest spend per capita in education in Europe,” Mr McArdle said.