Madam, - I was as shocked as your correspondent, Mr Matty O'Leary, at Minister Mary Coughlan's decision to cut back on a Back to Education Allowance programme on the grounds that it could be availed of by "foreigners" coming here for "a bit of craic".
France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and other EU countries provide scholarships for Irish students and have done so for over 40 years. As visitors, Irish students are often given priority in accommodation, being allocated places in university residences.
For an Irish Minister to describe visiting European students as "foreigners" out to exploit our educational resources, is deeply shaming. One would expect any educated Irish person to welcome a chance to introduce our fellow Europeans to Irish culture and life. The students of today will be the business leaders of the future and it will be to our benefit if they have a knowledge of Ireland and form a favourable impression of this country during their stay here. - Yours, etc.,
CATHERINE Ó CEÓINÍN, Carna, Co Galway.