Cutting college fees 'won't improve access' for disadvantaged students

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris at the new South East Technological University. Mr Harris plans to reduce the current €3,000 student contribution charge over several budgets. Picture: Mary Browne

Cutting college fees won’t help to improve access to higher education for the most disadvantaged students, college leaders have warned.

At the beginning of the month, Simon Harris, the minister for further and higher education, announced plans to reduce the current €3,000 student contribution charge over several budgets. The plans also include an additional €307m in funding for the sector.