Quinn defends broken pledge not to increase fees

EDUCATION Minister Ruairi Quinn defended his broken election promise not to increase student fees by saying he preferred to spend the money on vulnerable students in schools.

But the €250 increase for third-level students next September to €2,250, and another 3% cut to the amount that grant recipients will get next year, has drawn anger and warnings that people will not be able to afford a higher education.

Mr Quinn signed a pledge to the Union of Students in Ireland days before February’s general election that he would not introduce fees or increase the student contribution.