FF and Greens split on college fee hike

THE Green Party believes up to €5.7 billion could be cut in the budget without sacrificing education commitments in the Programme for Government.

Tensions between the Greens and their coalition partners Fianna Fáil have risen over the latter’s proposals to hike third-level registration fees, increase class sizes, and cut capitation grants to schools.

The Greens say implementation of these proposals would renege on the revised Programme for Government agreed last year and force them to reconsider their position in the coalition.