Third-level institutions may have to find more savings

THE country's third-level institutions may have to find further savings within their spending rather than raising registration fees for students next year, Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe indicated yesterday. He is also planning increased efforts to attract donations from international philanthropists and to bring more fee-paying international students to our colleges.

Mr O'Keeffe said that, while he still believes a student contribution should be considered, he accepts it has now been taken off the agenda because of the economic pressures facing Irish families – even though the graduate loans system he favoured would not have yielded any returns from students for at least four years.

He said the possibility of fees or graduate loans will now be examined by the Higher Education Strategy Review Group chaired by economist Colin Hunt which is due to report by the end of the year. It was setup by Mr O'Keeffe in February and is believed to be making good progress on its mission to set out a vision for the next 20 years.

But the Irish Examiner understands that the addition of the minister's student contribution feasibility report – presented to cabinet in July – to its considerations, may delay the conclusion of its work, as it may have to revisit parts of the report already nearing completion.

While Green Party leader John Gormley suggested at the weekend it was up to third-level colleges to decide if they need to hike registration fees – which have already gone up 66% to €1,500 this year – the upper limit is actually set by the Government.

Mr O'Keeffe said there was limited scope for increasing registration fees, aimed at covering costs of exams, registration and students services, because the Higher Education Authority (HEA) must be satisfied that colleges are providing services equal to the amount of money charged.

"I pointed out to the HEA earlier this year that I wasn't happy with the light touch they had in relation to looking at cost effective spending within the sector but I'm satisfied that they are now seriously addressing that issue," he said.

His comments came after Fine Gael and the Labour Party both claimed the revised government programme left the door open for further registration fee hikes. The National Parents Council-Post Primary said it vehemently opposes the idea that they may be increased drastically, as they do not take account of parents' or students ability to pay, or of family circumstances.

Mr O'Keeffe said he will also ask the strategy review group to look at ways of improving philanthropic donations to colleges from the United States and other countries.

"Hopefully this month I'll be signing a memorandum of agreement between Saudi Arabia and Ireland in relation to third-level students coming from that jurisdiction," he said.