The seven state universities and Dublin Institute of Technology are collectively owed €560,000 in fines from their libraries alone, while the universities are also owed more than €1.3million in Student Contribution Charges.

NUI Maynooth is at the top of the list, with an outstanding figure of €450,000 for charges, despite being the university with the smallest student population. DCU was one of the lowest, with the debt being spread across just 100 students.

University College Dublin and NUI Galway were not able to provide a breakdown of the debts, which is likely to increase the total amount. UCD is the largest university and is expected to have the most effect on the total charges.

Currently, the charge stands at €3,000 per year, however, over half of students attending third level education do not pay this amount due to their level of household income.

To read the rest of this article please follow this link: http://on.irishtimes.com/ugn92iD