Coughlan refuses to rule out fees hike

EDUCATION Minister Mary Coughlan has refused to rule out a hike in college registration fees.

Speaking in Dublin after meeting pupils who had collected their Leaving Certificate results, Ms Coughlan indicated that colleges were struggling in the tough economic times and, as a result, increases in third-level education service charges could not be ruled out.

Asked to clarify her position on college registration fees, the minister indicated families may not be saved from hikes in administration charges next year. “I haven’t made any decisions and come to any decision with the minister for finance on the reductions in my expenditure. That won’t be happening until the budget.