“… The Irish Independent claims to have seen documents outlining the proposals, which also include introducing a €3,000 flat-rate college fee to replace the current registration payments …” (more)
[Business and Leadership, 18 August]
“Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has been urged not to consider another increase in the student registration fee. The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) said a further increase in the cost of the student registration fee would mean that many thousands of students would be unable to attend third-level education …” (more)
[Charlie Taylor, Irish Times, 16 August]
Families face the prospect of third-level fees without any government loan deal to soften the blow. Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has firmly ruled out a previously mooted scheme where graduates would repay the State for their college education …” (more)
[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 16 August]
“Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn has again refused to rule out the return of college fees as he acknowledged the funding crisis in the higher education sector. The Minister told yesterday’s meeting of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) the funding crisis in higher education will ‘not go away’ for many years to come …” (more)
[Seán Flynn, Irish Times, 27 July]
“Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review and honour the pledge he made in February 2011, and reverse the €500 increase in the student contribution fee. Deputy Ruairí Quinn: The economic circumstances of the country are such that the decision by the previous Government to introduce a new student contribution charge of €2,000 from this September cannot be reversed …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Questions, 7 July]
“Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn cannot reverse the €500 increase in the student contribution fee at third level because Ireland has ‘lost control over our own chequebook’. Speaking in the Dáil during education questions he said he was ‘determined to return to a point at which the Government has the economic freedom to make freely-determined decisions’ but they were not there yet …” (more)
[Marie O'Halloran, Irish Times, 8 July]
“The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has issued a warning to universities today over reports that a number of institutions had planned to charge students a minor penalty surcharge for choosing to pay the registration fee in two, rather than one, instalments …” (more)
[Cork Student News, 21 June]
“Third-level colleges have effectively been told to drop plans to charge students more if they opt to pay their annual €2,000 registration fees in two instalments. At least one university was proposing to charge students €25 extra if they split their payments in two …” (more)
[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 21 June]
“Hard-pressed students and families will be able to split the payment of the increased €2,000 college registration fee which comes into effect in September. Education Minister Ruairi Quinn recently reversed a pre-election commitment to maintain the charge at €1,500. But he has now asked colleges to allow the €2,000 to be paid in two instalments …” (more)
[Fiach Kelly, Independent, 20 June]
“Education Minister Ruairi Quinn performed a U-turn on a key election promise last night by admitting he wouldn’t reverse a €500 hike in college registration fees. And the minister refused to rule out the introduction of third-level fees and further student charges – another pre-election pledge …” (more)
[Edel O'Connell, Independent, 31 May]
“Bank of Ireland has introduced a new discounted personal loan option for parents of third-level students designed to cover the cost of annual registration fees …” (more)
[Irish Times, 20 May]
“Students will be hit with registration charges of €2,000 from September, but plans to saddle them with debt worth one-third of the cost of their courses have been shelved …” (more)
[John Walshe, Independent, 7 March]
“Confusion has arisen as to how much funds will be allocated to student services due to the rebranding of the student registration fee for next term. The Student Contribution Charge, which was introduced when the 2011 budget was announced, will replace the student registration fee for the term 2011/2012 …” (more)
[Katie Hughes, University Observer, 1 March]
“The Union of Students in Ireland has welcomed the Labour Party’s commitment to abolish the €200 registration fee for Post Leaving Certificate courses, and to reducing the student services charge back to €1,500, if they are in Government after the election …” (more)
[Irish Press Releases, 17 February]
“The student registration fee is set to increase to €2,000, according to the Government’s newly unveiled National Recovery Plan …” (more)
[Cork Student News, 24 November]
“A €700 registration fee hike now seems likely in the hotly anticipated Budget next month, although that figure is still undecided as Ireland continues emergency discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over a possible bailout of the country …” (more)
[Cork Student News, 21 November]
“The Sunday Business Post will tomorrow carry details of the government’s four-year budgetary plan, which will subject to a ‘thorough examination’ by the European Commission/IMF. According to Irish Examiner journalist Tom Hickey, the plan includes a registration fee increase of €700, a 47% increase …” (more)
[Tom Lowe, University Times, 20 November]
“More than 1,000 angry students marched through the streets of Galway yesterday in protest over college fees. There was a large garda presence as the hundreds of students gathered in the Spanish Arch area of the city centre, but no incidents were reported …” (more)
[John Fallon, Independent, 19 November]
“More than 1,000 students marched peacefully through Galway city yesterday in the first of a series of pre-budget regional protests. The demonstration, supported by students from NUI Galway and Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, highlighted opposition to proposed registration fee increases and cuts to the maintenance grants …” (more)
[Lorna Siggins, Irish Times, 19 November]
“The Union of Students of Ireland (USI) has come in for criticism from students after rumours circulated on the internet that it had agreed to accept a €800 increase in fees with the Government …” (more)
[Cork Student News, 17 November]
