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.

USI president Peter Mannion said students and families already hit by the recession are struggling to pay the fee. “Some are being forced to drop out of college as a direct result and we’re calling on the Government to ensure this fee is not raised further in the upcoming Budget. Doing so would be detrimental to the future of thousands of students who cannot afford to pay this ‘entrance fee’,” he said.

Mr Mannion said public funding is the fairest and most efficient way to cover the costs of education. However, Mr O’Keeffe is expected to impose more cuts on funding for third level colleges in the budget on December 9.

A spokesperson for the minister said the increase introduced this autumn brought the amount contributed by students more in line with the actual costs of providing services to them. That’s the reason the minister has referred to the limited scope for further increases. The registration fee will continue to be dealt with on an annual basis,” he said.

At a USI demonstration outside the Dáil yesterday, USI eastern area officer Chris Bond said that in contrast to the €1,500 paid by Irish students, German students paid fees of just €1,000 a year, while Belgium charges €800, Austrian students pay €726 in fees and Luxembourg charges €200 a year.