Report recommends reintroduction of college fees

A report commissioned by the Department of Education has argued strongly in favour of Minister Noel Dempsey's now-abandoned plan to reintroduce college fees for "wealthy" families.

The report into access to third-level education said that reintroducing fees for high-income families would generate more money to tackle educational disadvantage among low-income families.

The report said only 21% of children from poorer families go to college or university, compared to 97% of children from wealthy families.

It said this proved that the abolition of third-level fees in 1995/96 had failed in its objective to bridge the educational gap between rich and poor.

Minister Dempsey had proposed reintroducing fees for "wealthy" families earlier this year, but he abandoned the plan due to steadfast opposition from the Progressive Democrats.