U-turn on college fees ruled out

BERTIE AHERN and Mary Harney yesterday ruled out the introduction of college fees in the lifetime of the Government.

This follows a major backlash against the idea floated by Education Minister Noel Dempsey, who said any funds would be used to increase access to education for students from poorer backgrounds.

The coalition leaders also ruled out any attempt to abandon the special savings scheme or to interfere with the children's allowance.

The party leaders' comments come after opinion polls show support for the coalition has dropped to a new low since Mr Ahern was elected Taoiseach.

Visiting Cork yesterday, Tánaiste Mary Harney said parents had made financial plans based on established Government policies and these would not be changed.

"I want to assure people that the children's allowance will not be touched, the special savings which people have placed money in will not be touched and neither do we support a support the reintroduction of third-level fees," she told Cork-based radio station Red FM.

Mr Ahern also ruled out any changes to child welfare or the special savings scheme yesterday, which is due to cost the State around 2.4bn over its five-year lifespan.

The Taoiseach yesterday said no decision has been taken on college fees at Cabinet yet, but sources say he won't reintroduce them.

Yesterday's move by the coalition leaders is a major blow for Minister Dempsey, who is in Malaysia on a State trip.

Mr Dempsey had spoken in strong terms about ending unequal access to third-level education. He said that while there was no question of fees returning for everyone, the wealthy should be able to meet their own expenses.

Student groups, who have led a major campaign against the reintroduction of fees, cautiously welcomed the move.

Colm Jordan, president of the Union of Students of Ireland (USI), said: "I'd welcome people in Government coming out openly and ruling out a return to fees. At the moment students feel like they've the sword of Damocles over their heads."

He said the USI and others would continue protests against the Government over a range of issues, such as the increase in registration fees announced during the summer.

If tuition fees were reintroduced, an annual charge of between 4,000 to 5,000 on average would be levied per student.

Mr Dempsey had said any fees would be used to target students most at risk through grants and increased investment at primary level.

"There is an inequity there and you have to ask the question whether the expenditure is skewed in the right way," Mr Dempsey said last week.

He has instructed officials in the Department of Education to examine the future of the 350m spent by the State on student support services.

Around 175m is paid by the State to colleges on tuition fees alone.