Why tax parents of third-level students?

IT seems the powers-that-be will do whatever they can to reintroduce fees for third-level colleges. All this in a country where one can vote and get married at 18 and drive a car at 17. Of course children’s allowance ceases also at 18.

Yet it’s proposed to tax the parents of third-level students, most of whom are 18 by the end of their first year, for their education. A 20-year-old car owner’s parents, for example, are not forced to pay for their offspring’s motor tax. Why should they be forced to fund college fees?

Why in every other way is an 18-year-old deemed to be completely independent except when it comes to third-level education?

Third-level students should not have to pay fees, nor should their parents be levied with fees. Any cost of their education to the State will be more than made up in future economic contributions from the students, post-graduation. The cost of fees should be seen as an investment by the State, not an expense.

Reintroduction of fees will harm the educational prospects of thousands of young adults who will be unable to partake of what should be an entitlement. It seems the colleges and universities have paid no attention to the plight of those who will lose out, instead preferring to dwell on the ‘quality’ of services they can offer. I would suggest they redirect their efforts towards the Finance and Education departments to secure adequate funding.

Peadar Gill

Crossafehin

Virginia

Co Cavan