Students could face further hike to €1,500 service charge

THIRD-LEVEL students could face a further increase on the €1,500 service charge next year despite the promise of no tuition fees, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan indicated yesterday.

She also hinted at a belief in the need for some form of student fees after the current Government’s lifetime.

But she said no decision could be made on this until she has considered the report of the higher education strategy group chaired by economist Dr Colin Hunt. The report is due to set out a 20-year plan and is expected by the Education Minister later in the summer.