Students fight campaign for fees

PROPER Government funding rather than a return to fees is the only way to improve third and fourth level education, rather than a return to college fees, students claimed last night.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) was reacting to a planned lobbying campaign by the seven universities through the Irish Universities Association (IUA), which is preparing a submission to Government seeking either tuition fees or a loan system to make up for a shortfall in funding Government for teaching undergraduate courses.

Trinity College Dublin provost Dr John Hegarty said this week that an extra €120 million each year is needed to help the universities keep up with the world’s best, on top of the current level of €780m.