Debate on third-level education fees

Madam, - The Neanderthals are at it again

Madam, - The Neanderthals are at it again. A country like Ireland with a knowledge economy has no future unless a majority of school-leavers go on to third-level education.

More than any other aspect of Ireland's social and economic infrastructure, education must be well managed and well funded and have the highest priority in public expenditure.

If lower priority spending programmes have to be cut, so be it.

Of course, like all public spending programmes, third level education must be efficient and effective. Unfortunately, the only idea for saving money that this Government seems to have is to impose a stealth tax, which has nothing got to do with either.

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Parents are making great sacrifices to put their adult children through college, having already made sacrifices to get them into college. Irish society, including all taxpayers and pensioners, will benefit.

It would be an inexcusable breach of trust for any Government to increase the registration fee stealth tax further, never mind impose other fees. - Yours, etc.,

BRENDAN LYNCH, Seafield Crescent, Blackrock, Co Dublin.