'Not fair or proportionate': Minister all but rules out future cuts to student fees

The programme for government commits to reducing student fees over the lifetime of the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and independent coalition. Picture: iStock

The higher education minister has all but ruled out future cuts to student fees claiming they are “not fair or proportionate” and take hundreds of millions from universities and colleges.

In a major U-turn by the Government, James Lawless said universal cuts of €1,000 to the student contribution fee in the last two budgets “may not be the best use of public monies”.