A student loan system is being proposed whereby graduates would pay back their tuition fees over their careers – rather than at entry point.
It’s one of the options being put forward in the Cassels report – which is looking at how to fund the growing gaps in funding Higher Education.
The Union of Students of Ireland says it will oppose any plans to introduce a loan system, and recommends it be fully State-funded.
An expert group was set up in 2014 to look at the long term funding of higher education as student numbers increase and third level institutions struggle to keep up with demand.
1 billion euro in extra funding will be needed by 2030 – with higher yearly increases in the educational budget in the next 3 to five years.
Options include abolishing the unpopular 3000 euro registration fee and increasing state spending, keeping the fee and increasing state spending but to a lesser degree and introducing a student loan scheme – that graduates would pay back once they start earning over a certain threshold.
Education Minister Richard Bruton says the Oireachtas Education Committee will thrash out all options.
Mr Cassels says all stakeholders – including employers – should be involved in the decision.
But the Union of Students in Ireland is vigorously against a student loan system, as President Annie Hoey explains.
