Financial burden of ‘hardship’ students may be eased

THE Department of Education is examining methods of easing the burden of students who have difficulty paying the new registration fee of €670.

Education Minister Noel Dempsey has told representatives of the Union of Students in Ireland that he is going to press ahead with introducing the €274 rise in capitation fees, which are due to be paid later this month.

However, it is understood the department is looking at methods of easing the financial load of students in hardship cases.

The USI is advising anyone who believes they might be eligible for a higher education grant to contact their college if they are facing difficulties in paying their registration fees. “We believe that colleges will adopt a reasonable approach in light of the minister's concern about alleviating the burden for the poorest students,” said USI president Colm Jordan.

However, he insisted students would continue to stage a series of protests against the increase over the coming months. “Just 6% of the increase is going towards actual student services, while the remainder is being used to make up a shortfall in the budgets of colleges,” said Mr Jordan. “It makes the notion of free, third-level education ridiculous.”

Thousands of students are set to mount weekly demonstrations around the country throughout October and November against the new registration fees.

The USI claims the hike will result in a rise in the number of drop-outs. It has also expressed concern that one in five Leaving Cert students who received a place at third-level college may not take up the offer because of financial concerns. Students were particularly angered at the size of the rise when they learned the department had originally intended to raise fees by just 6%. A department spokesperson declined to comment on this week’s meeting between Mr Dempsey and the USI.