Teacher's Pet

It is still too early to say how Noel Dempsey will emerge when the dust settles on the whole fees issue, but, for now, he has a major battle on his hands.

The forces lined up against him are formidable. First, the PDs and a good section of the Fianna Fáil party. Then there is the opposition who are making hay. And the Department of Finance who oppose any loan scheme. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Community and Family Affairs is none too keen on taking over responsibility for the higher education grant scheme.

To increase the Minister's sense of persecution, there are even some in the higher reaches of his own department who cannot understand why he embarked on such a risky course.

Dempsey's motivation may be admirable, but the issue is much more complex than even he imagined. It is now straying into all sorts of legal and technical issues. How do you identify who is wealthy in this society? Can assets be regarded as income? What will pay for any new bureaucracy if there is a new fees structure?

The question is - how will he emerge from all of this? He can justifiably claim some credit if he re-establishes the principles of third-level fees for the well-off. He also deserves credit for opening up the debate.

But will the public thank him? And will he be remembered as the Minister who scared the living daylights out of the middles classes on fees - but then backed away?

More bad news for embattled parents. Barbara Johnston, perhaps the best parents' spokesperson, is leaving her role as PRO of the Catholic parents' group.

Not surprisingly, the energetic Johnston has grown tired of the lip-service that is paid to the voice of parents in Irish education. She is moving to pastures new, but her articulate and brave voice will be missed.

The recent review by the Dáil education committee of the education estimates was a depressing affair. At one stage, this reporter reckoned that Noel Dempsey had been asked something like 16 separate questions in one 10-minute period. What a shocking waste of everyone's time.

The committee did not distinguish itself on this occasion with only Labour's hugely impressive Jan O'Sullivan showing real mastery of the brief.

Isn't it extraordinary? The Department spends almost €6 billion of public money every year, but the Dáil hardly scratches the surface in holding it to account. You could scarcely make it up.

Terrible News!! This is the last Teachers' Pet column until September as yours truly prepares for the summer exams. Thanks to all of those who contributed. Keep reading the stuff that will be in the other papers tomorrow!!!