Third-level fees - Call to debate issue welcomed

Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe has called for a national debate on the funding of the third-level sector.

He initiated the debate himself by suggesting it might be time to reintroduce third-level fees, but he seems to be backing off that idea, or at least playing it down, after stirring up a veritable hornets’ nest.

Mr O’Keeffe emphasised that the Government views third-level education as the fulcrum for the future growth of the economy. Moreover, he was at pains to stress that pupils receiving their Leaving Certificate results yesterday would not be facing university fees this autumn.