Hiking of third-level student registration fees being considered

THE Government is considering raising student registration charges again to achieve savings in the near €9 billion education budget.

The possibility of raising the fee for third-level student services is likely to cause outrage on campuses across the country as it has already doubled since 2005, including a two-thirds increase last year from €900 to €1,500.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is already planning a major protest in Dublin next Wednesday against further hikes to the registration fee or cuts to student grants beyond the 5% already taken off them this year.