Third-level fees decision to come ‘after budget’

PROSPECTIVE college students will have to wait until after next week’s budget to find out if they must pay some type of fees from next year.

Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe has told the Irish Examiner that his report on the various student funding options will not be ready in time for the budget next Tuesday, but he does expect to bring a recommendation to the cabinet later this month.

It is strongly speculated that he favours a student contribution system similar to that in Australia, where the state would still pay tuition fees but graduates would repay some or all of the costs after they begin earning a salary above certain incomes.