Richard Bruton prepares for tuition fees backlash

Education Minister Richard Bruton faces pressure from all sides as he prepares to push for more efficiencies from cash-strapped colleges in return for more funding from students, taxpayers and employers.

The Government can already expect heavy political and student opposition to the system of ‘study now, pay later’ fee loans likely to be promoted, arising from the long-awaited report on third-level funding that is to be published this morning.

However, pressure to justify higher fees will see more focus on colleges meeting social and economic targets. He will set out some targets as he launches the report of a group chaired by former Irish Congress of Trade Unions boss Peter Cassells.