College Tribune | September 30th 2008
News: Investigations
er more complex, Jennifer Bray takes a look at the story so far
Former Minister for Education urges O’Keeffe not to take “retrograde” step Former Minister for Education Niamh Bhreathnach, responsible for the abolition of fees in 1996, has urged the Minister for Education not too take the “retrograde step” of re-introducing third level fees. Speaking to the College Tribune, Bhreathnach also further advised that the heads of Universities be “challenged at their game”, stating there are other ways to bridge the funding gap currently in existence in almost all of Ireland’s seven Universities. “Ever since fees were abolished all the university heads could say was ‘this won’t work, we need fees back’. They are interested only in their funds, not who they hit or how. The heads of universities have their problems and I’m not trying to diminish that, but on a European level Undergraduate education is considered a right.” “In their grand plan for this knowledge based Ireland, the government has completely stepped off the path. When they introduced fees into England the numbers of those attending college fell. To really get a knowledge based society, we need a level of 32 percent graduates. This is the most important thing- keeping the numbers up in college.” As Labour Minister for Education, Bhreathnach abolished fees after her own extensive study on how Ireland’s third level sector was funded. “I looked at the way the third level was funded extensively before I abolished fees. I found the simplest way to open the gates to all was to remove funding for all. I would be very disappointed if fees were re-introduced at this stage.” Bhreathnach points towards Ireland’s economic dip and previous financial state as reason for the resurfacing of the fees debate, although
■■ Don’t do it: AntiFees champion Niamh Bhreathnach (above) and current education minister Batt O’Keefe she believes it is an issue every year that arises, however now the economy has suffered a dip a “lack of broad mindedness” is pushing leaders into enforcing third level cuts. “Now things are bad we are turning around and saying ‘we’re going to look into this issue now for funding, because we haven’t the ability to look on a wider basis’”. When it comes to the politics of the debate, Bhreathnach says that Fianna Fail “Are very good at saying the words, but I want to hear them sing the song”. But the former minister does commend Batt O Keeffe’s decision to allow a fully open debate on the issue.
Reports of record numbers of CAO applicants rushing to accept college places surface amid concerns that third-level fees could return.
September 16th:
Building
A study by Dr Noel Woods, an economist at UCC, claims third-level fees for wealthy would raise €500m.
September 24th
September 10
September 19 :
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O’Keeffe reveals that he personally backs the return of third level tuition fees. The Union of Students in Ireland slams Minister O’ Keeffe as “Misguided and out of touch”.
It emerges that Dr Woods miscalculated figures in relation to the amount third level tuition fees would raise. In fact, the maximum amount, using his own figures, was actually €130 million.
September 11th Third level fees plan could be ready in as little as 18 months, according to the minister.
University Presidents lobby for the introduction of an Australian-style student loan system. Australia’s education minister questions the credibility of the system and describes the scheme as “at best complex and at worst anomalous, inconsistent and irrational”.
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September 26th
September 23rd:
■■ USI President Shane Kelly
Hundreds of UCD students express their discontent at the developments in a protest march to the Tierney
■■ DCU President Ferdinand von Prondzynski
The USI releases a statement expressing that the return of fees could spark further graduate emigration.
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