Concerns that fees could be back on the agenda

There are fears that the reintroduction of college fees will return to the table. According to an article in The Sunday Times a report is to be published shortly which will recommend that students contribute to the cost of their third level education.

The report is currently being compiled by an expert group chaired by economist Colin Hunt.

The reintroduction of fees was shelved last year under the new Programme for Government agreed between Fianna Fáil and the Greens.

The Greens vetoed plans for the reintroduction of fees that were contained in a report

prepared by Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe (pictured).

The expert group is made up of a group of civil servants, business executives and figures from academia.

Included on the group are Marion Coy, GMIT President, John Hegarty, Trinity Provost and Paul Rellis, Microsoft managing director.

The option of the Australian model of student loans is being considered by the expert group.

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