Government under fire over speculation on student charges

RECENT speculation on education cutbacks and extra student charges have caused a raft of criticism for the Government, and the Green Party in particular.

The Irish Examiner reported last week that the Government is looking at significant increases in the €1,500 registration charge paid by third level students who do not qualify for maintenance grants. While some weekend reports suggest the fee could be doubled to €3,000, this was played down by one source close to the coalition yesterday, although Green Party representatives have insisted in recent days that no increase would be acceptable.

But higher education bosses backed some additional form of student contribution to help meet the shortfall in Government funding for third level education despite rising numbers. University College Cork president Dr Michael Murphy said services such as health supports, examination costs and sports facilities supposed to be covered by the registration fee cost far more than €1,500 per student, but he said any additional charge should not disadvantage less well-off students.