Woods for the fees

It emerged yesterday that the estimated savings to the exchequer, were university fees to be reintroduced, are wrong. Dr Noel Woods, a UCC health economist, told Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe earlier this week that the move would generate €530 million in its first year. The figure is actually €130 million.

‘It's a little embarrassing,’ said Mr O Keeffe. ‘But he was rushing to a conference. Anyway, the reintroduction of fees is off the cards now. We’re working on a very bold project to obviate that need.'

'Irish teenagers spent €145m on alcohol in 2006. Under a new proposal the Department of Finance will collect that €145 million at the beginning of each school year.

'€130million will be put towards third level fees immediately. The remaining €15 million will still go towards drink for our teenagers, but it will be distributed on a more sensible basis.

'Every adolescent will be given drink vouchers. This way the kids spend money more wisely by paying for their own future education - and they drink more moderately during the academic year.’