Student loan scheme or graduate tax expected in Quinn announcement
It is thought that Education Minister Ruairi Quinn may propose the introduction of a State-backed student loan scheme or a graduate tax when he outlines his vision for higher education reform this morning.
Ruairi Quinn will meet the heads of the country's Universities and Institutes of Technology at the Department of Education.
Recent figures show the average cost for just one year in college is €10,500.
While the Economic and Social Research Institute has backed a student loan system, Mr Quinn previously said he does not favour this option.
The scheme in an ESRI report for the Higher Education Authority, published on Friday, would see students repay state loans covering college fees once they reach certain income levels.
Mr Quinn has reservations about the implications of the debt for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Mr Quinn’s only pronouncement on student fees since taking office has been that the student contribution will continue to rise, from €2,250 this year to €3,000, despite pre-election promises he would oppose rising fees or cuts to grants.
The recent delays in grant payments have added to the pressure on students, with the St Vincent De Paul Society reporting that some students have begun knocking on its doors for food parcels.
The Union of Students in Ireland will hold a demonstration outside the Department of Education this morning to coincide with the Minister's meeting.
USI president John Logue said: "We're expecting well over 1,000 students to show up. The interesting thing we're also seeing across the country at our local protests is the number of parents and local businesspeople showing up."
He said local businesses were realising the "huge positive effect that students have on their business and (the negative impact) of further cuts to higher education."
