THE President of the University of Limerick has said he does not know how much the institution is owed in outstanding fees after it emerged the college is using a debt collection agency to recover monies owed. The country’s largest university UCD is also engaged in the practice. Speaking this Monday, president Don Barry said going to debt collection agencies was “very much a last resort”
“We are kind of caught between a rock and a hard place in the sense that we have an obligation to collect this charge and the government deducts it from our grants. It is only fair that we treat all our students the same,” President Barry said.
“It is really very much a last resort for us. We try our level best to facilitate students for as long as possible,” he added.
Asked how much was due in outstanding fees, Mr Barry said he did not know.
“I don’t know the precise amount. I saw that the university wouldn’t release it to the media so I am going to have to find out myself.”
In a statement issued the University of Limerick said the standard payment option for the student contribution is currently two instalments.
“Other payment options are available on request and every effort is made to facilitate students in this regard in conjunction with other support mechanisms for those experiencing difficulties,” he said.
“As a public body the University of Limerick has a duty to seek to recover outstanding debts. Students are currently not permitted to graduate with outstanding student fee debt. Having applied a range of debt collection practices, The University of Limerick, like other Irish universities and other public bodies, uses external mechanisms as a last resort in recovering long-standing debts. The University of Limerick currently does not issue legal proceeding over outstanding student fees,” the statement concluded.
