The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) have revealed that they are taking high-level legal advice on the issues of the threatened return of college fees, the increase in the college registration fee and the slashing of the Back to Education Allowance.
They are seeking, if possible, to have an injunction against the reduction in the Back To Education Allowance announced in the last budget.
Mr Colm Jordan, President, USI said: "The purpose of the Back to Education Allowance is to offer a second chance to the long-term unemployed. Changes were made with scant regard for the most vulnerable members of society, with the public only being informed three months after the decision was taken and five weeks before exams, thus severely limiting the power to act on a matter of such grave importance."
"A 20-year-old can vote, buy a car and drive it, work, pay tax and PRSI, join a trade union or become a garda. However, should they wish to attend college, they will be assessed on the basis of their parents' income rather than their own," he added.
"We believe that the Department acted incorrectly in increasing the student registration charge by 69 per cent to €670. In information we attained through the Freedom of Information Act, we discovered that 63 per cent of this increase was to 'secure Exchequer savings', despite the fact that this charge was clearly ring-fenced at its introduction for student services alone."
The USI is also concerned about the possible reintroduction of college fees. The Minister for Education, Mr Noel Dempsey last year ordered a review on the matter and said that if the review was not available by Easter he would make an interim decision on fees for the year 2003/2004.
"Our concern would be that there are 50,000 leaving cert students taking their exams this summer who will be left in limbo about the reintroduction of fees later in their college careers, said Mr Jordan adding: "College fees or loans clearly act as a disincentive to those people from poorer backgrounds in attending college."
He concluded: "We are currently taking high-level legal advice on these issues as we believe this Government has acted outside the law to further restrict education to the poorest members of our communities."