New student fees loan scheme up for debate

The Government is about to add to its woes as a student fees loan scheme proposal is set to take centre stage in a new third-level funding debate.

With the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) firmly opposed to any increased costs and a finely balanced Dáil, the proposal in a report being launched by Education Minister Richard Bruton is sure to become a new political headache.

It is one of several options to bridge severe gaps in higher education funding but the ‘study now-pay later’ system is favoured by many key players in the sector.