Students face college dropout over fees hike

THOUSANDS of students could be forced to drop out of college if the Government sanctions further increases in third level registration fees in December’s budget, it was claimed yesterday.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is seeking assurances from Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe that he will not allow another rise in the fee charged by colleges, which rose by 66% from €900 to €1,500 this autumn.

The charge is designed to cover the costs of non-tuition services for students and the minister indicated earlier this month, following the decision that tuition fees will not be introduced in the lifetime of the Government, that there is little scope for the fee to rise.