Harney affirms opposition to college fees plan

TÁNAISTE Mary Harney last night reiterated her opposition to the reintroduction of college fees, saying the measure was not part of the Government’s Programme for Government.

Ahead of today’s Cabinet meeting, Ms Harney said the reintroduction of fees was not the way to open up access to third-level education.

“We have to open up access to third-level education; the question is how to do that,” she said.

Ms Harney said the economy required 80% of school graduates to attend post-second-level education in the future. However, she insisted the standard tax system was the correct way to get funds from the rich rather than introducing college fees of any kind. “The way you get tax from the rich is from the general tax system,” the Tánaiste said, adding that the PDs have always been against the reintroduction of fees.

Amid rising discontent at the prospect of college fees, Ms Harney said the details of the Government’s proposal would have to be ironed out at Cabinet level once the Department of Education’s review on educational disadvantage was available.

Although that report is still up to three weeks away from completion, it is understood that today’s Cabinet meeting will set aside time to discuss the issue of third level fees.

The issue, apart from being openly opposed by the PDs, is also understood to be a divisive topic among Fianna Fáil backbenchers and Cabinet members, many of whom fear a political backlash if the proposal goes through.

Meanwhile, criticism of Education Minister Noel Dempsey mounted yesterday following renewed press leaks that the proposed fees would apply to families with a combined income of more than €110,000. Among others, Barbara Johnston of the National Congress of Catholic Secondary School Parents’ Association (CSPA) accused the Government of dishonesty, saying most parents now fully expected the €110,000 cut-off to be consistently lowered once introduced.

“If this is not to improve access, then let’s say it’s to fund the third level sector and set about doing it in an honest manner if that’s what he wants to do,” Ms Johnston said.

“We can see that once introduced, the threshold for fees will go down and down until eventually we will all be paying fees,” she said.

A spokesman for the Department of Education last night refused to be drawn on details leaked to the press. “All of what has been printed is just speculation; the report has not yet been finalised,” he said.