Disadvantaged students at core of college fees plan

THE need to get more disadvantaged students going to college is what has prompted plans to consider a return to charging college fees, Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe has claimed.

Although he has indicated it could be up to 18 months before any such plans are put to Cabinet, he has already given his personal backing to imposing tuition fees for those who can afford them.

Since fees were abolished in the mid-1990s, the Government picks up the costs previously paid by those above certain incomes.