Fees will force students out of education — and out of the country

THE increase in student college charges — starting with an extra €500 next year — will leave thousands without a chance of higher education and force many to emigrate, according to the Union of Students in Ireland.

The newly-branded flat rate student contribution of €2,000, along with a new charge of €200 a year for 38,000 Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) course students, is expected to save the Department of Education €31 million a year.

Although it had been speculated the higher education charge could increase to as much as €2,500 next year, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said higher charges will be imposed on third-level students by 2014.