Law tightens control of private university fees

HIKES in the fees of private universities will from now on be subject to the approval of the Education Ministry.

Under a law passed by parliament last night, each private university will submit their proposed increases in tuition and other fees to the ministry, which will then decide whether the increases are justified.

In addition, the Education Minister has the power to issue a yearly cap on fee increases. Under the new law, the maximum hike permissible can be no greater than 150 per cent of the rate of inflation of the previous fiscal year.

Parliament also gave the green light to the introduction and implementation of biometric passports as of this autumn.

The new passport will bear the owner’s fingerprints, installed by microchip, eliminating the risk of theft and identity fraud. All passports must be replaced once the system starts operating in October.

The new law contains a clause ensuring that fingerprints will not be used for any other purpose and that this data shall be stored for a period of just 48 hours and then deleted.

Diplomats will be the first to obtain their biometric passports, in early September, followed by the rest of the population in mid-October.

The new passports will cost €70.

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