Education minister refuses to rule out third level fees – again [Independent.ie]
- Published: 30 May 2011
Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has stopped short of ruling out third-level fees but said the issue has not been discussed at Cabinet level.
The senior Labour minister, who signed a pledge before the election against student charges, said he had not come under any pressure from Government colleagues over a return to fees.
"The matter hasn't been discussed. There is a resource issue clearly, just on the sheer numbers," Mr Quinn said.
"The whole question of finance is going to have to be addressed but there are no proposals at the present being considered."
The minister said the Government would have to look at ways to finance the growing demand in the education sector.
But he added: "I have not ruled anything in or anything out."
Mr Quinn signed a Union of Students in Ireland (USI) pledge during the election campaign that Labour would not reintroduce third-level fees in government, or support an increase in the Student Services Charge.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
