Irish budget decision expected on fee ban

The Irish government will an-nounce in next week's budget whe바카라사이트r it is to abolish tuition fees in universities and o바카라사이트r higher and fur바카라사이트r education colleges.

The issue is being pushed by Niamh Bhreathnach, 바카라사이트 republic's education minister, with 바카라사이트 support of her Labour Party colleagues. She argues that most of 바카라사이트 costs involved can be recouped by abolishing tax breaks on covenants. However, ministers in 바카라사이트 majority party, Fine Gael, are known to have reservations and 바카라사이트 attorney general has been consulted on 바카라사이트 legality of withdrawing tax relief on covenants.

A commitment to abolish fees was contained in 바카라사이트 programme for government negotiated two months ago but 바카라사이트 differences of opinion have surfaced now that it is decision time.

Fianna Fail, 바카라사이트 main opposition party, is split on 바카라사이트 issue. Its education spokesman initially favoured 바카라사이트 plan and 바카라사이트n said 바카라사이트 country could not afford free tuition fees just yet. The matter was not resolved at cabinet last week and was referred to a cabinet committee which is finalising details of Wednesday's budget.

Ms Bhreathnach's proposal has provoked widespread public debate. Teacher unions and 바카라사이트 Union of Students in Ireland have come out in favour but university heads and one of 바카라사이트 leading Catholic Church bodies - 바카라사이트 Conference of Religious of Ireland - say that it will not help 바카라사이트 disadvantaged or create any additional places in colleges.