69% student increase fee ‘savage’

STUDENTS have accused the Government of further cynical cutbacks after it emerged that the Department of Education originally intended to raise registration fees by just 6% — instead of the 69% increase announced last month.

The Unions of Students in Ireland (USI) warned yesterday that up to one in five of all applicants will turn down a place at third-level college this autumn because of the proposed increase in registration fees from 396 to 670.

USI president Colm Jordan said third-level students may also drop out of college because of financial concerns brought about by the increase in fees.