The Education Minister Ruairi Quinn has stated that he is not in favour of re-introducing fees for third-level students.

Speaking in the Dail last week, the minister said implementing measures that could prevent people from poorer backgrounds from entering higher education is "not desirable".

He added that he has asked the Higher Education Authority to examine the system and come up with proposals that would minimise the burden for students, but still deliver the additional funding the system needs.

While he warned the review will not uncover "new crocks of gold" and stated it is a possibility that some new charges may be implemented due to the country's current financial situation, Mr Quinn stressed he has not "not changed [his] values on access to third-level education".

The possibility of new charges for individuals looking to continue their education may be of great interest to some of the thousands of students across the country who began sitting their Leaving Certificate examinations last week.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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