Minister should heed expert advice

WITH debate raging on the politically explosive question of college fees, the Government’s move to re-introduce these highly controversial payments has prompted a further demand that people who can afford to pay them should be made do so.

Significantly, this proposition comes from Dr Mary Meaney, the new chairperson of the Council of Directors of the Institutes of Technology, the body representing the heads of Ireland's 13 hi-tech colleges.

As he reviews the contentious fees question, Education Minister Noel Dempsey would do well to heed the advice of leading academic figures working at the coalface of the country's third-level education system.

Dr Meaney is not advocating that college fees, abolished in 1994, be re-imposed as a blunt instrument for generating revenue in today's difficult economic situation.

Before doing so, she wants the Government to undertake certain initiatives, including the formulation of a new system for assessing family incomes plus the introduction of a greatly improved grant scheme for beleaguered students.

The stark reality is that many students find it virtually impossible to live on the level of grants now being paid out. Dr Meaney believes Mr Dempsey should review the present structures because it is "not realistic to think people can live on what money is available".

As a result of the minister's threat to revive fees, students have already taken to the streets and are now planning a winter of protests against the Government initiative.

Another idea worthy of consideration has been aired by Dr Art Cosgrove of UCD who, as chair of the heads of Irish universities, is Dr Meaney's counterpart.

He proposes an Australian-style State loan system for students, a concept which effectively means that parental income would no longer be a factor in deciding who goes to a third level college for free.

Though the Institutes of Technology council has no formal policy on the fees issue, it is significant that the newly-appointed chairperson has put on the line her personal belief that "those who can afford to pay should pay".

In her opinion, the issue is all about access to third-level education. Under the present regime, she insists, not nearly enough people get the opportunity to advance to institute or university level.

With prices continuing to escalate right across the board, the cost of third-level education is also soaring and the annual bill for a college student living away from home now comes to nearly 6,500.

Controversy is raging around the vexed issue of higher education grants, which about 40% of third-level students receive at present. The widely held perception is that, under a scheme means-tested and administered by the country's local authorities, the sons and daughters of big farmers and other wealthy people are availing of this system to the detriment of students on the margins of society.

Convinced that the abolition of third-level fees has not increased the numbers of underprivileged students in colleges, Mr Dempsey looks set to reintroduce them. Grasping the grants nettle could be a major test of his ministry as it promises to spark a back-bench revolt within Fianna Fáil.

Crucially, whatever money is generated should be ploughed back into the country's 13 institutes of technology and the seven universities which have been severely hit by Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy's decision to slash third-level funding.