Students angered by call for return of fees

The Union of Students in Ireland has reacted angrily to reports that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is set to recommend the reintroduction of third-level fees in Ireland.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has reacted angrily to reports that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is set to recommend the reintroduction of third-level fees in Ireland.

Reports this morning said the OECD was set to recommend the return of college fees and the introduction an Australia-style student loan scheme where students would repay the cost of their education after graduation.

The organisation has reportedly stated that the abolition of fees in 1995 failed to increase the number of people from disadvantaged backgrounds who were attending college and that alternative policies were needed.

However, USI president Ben Archibold said: “Students are poor enough as it is and the whole idea that raising cash from them will increase access, that creating a debt for them will encourage them to go to college, is laughable.”