SINN Féin in Donegal
has hit out at proposals to bring back third level
college fees. Education spokesperson Senator Pearse
Doherty said education was "a right not a privilege"
adding that it was the responsibility of the State
to ensure its provision.
“Despite being one of the wealthiest states in
Europe our educational expenditure is one of the
lowest – it is below OECD average as a percentage of
GDP. Sinn Féin has argued for investment in
education should be based on a percentage of 6 per
cent of GDP," said Senator Doherty.
He described the abolition of fees in the mid 1990s
as a "progressive move"
but said it was fundamentally undermined by Fianna
Fáil's failure to invest the economic boom into the
country's future.
"Now as we now face into fiscal uncertainty the
Government’s cash cow approach to the public purse
over the last ten years is becoming acutely evident.
“With third level registration fees set at €825 and
a lack of student supports such as childcare and
accommodation supplements, students and their
families already shoulder a considerable financial
burden. Mature students have, in most instances, to
pay full fees when they seek to upskill or
re-skill," he said.
He claimed the Government regularly "talks up" the
need for a knowledge-based economy but never
"seriously invested in nor planned for it".
“Minister Batt O’Keeffe’s announcement is evidence
that the reintroduction of third levels fees is on
the Government’s agenda. To propose in a time of
economic decline to make third level education less
accessible is politically, socially and economically
inept," added Senator Doherty. |
