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.