Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We can generalise the discussion on the sustainability of funding overall. We do not need to get into the specifics because it is a broader debate. Last week we had discussions on funding with the third level institutions. We have had these discussions before. When the Minister of State was in opposition, his party and mine raised the issue of funding for third level institutions. While the additional funds are welcome, particularly the initiative to give something back to students, having fees at all is an issue. I was in my first year in third level in 1995-96 when the then Fine Gael, Labour Party and Democratic Left Government with a Labour Party Minister for Education abolished fees. They slowly came back until they were formalised, I think in the Thirty-first Dáil.

I would like a meaningful discussion and actual Government action on the issue with the agreement, I hope, of all parties in the House to recognise the need to bridge the funding gap, and to ensure we maintain our high position in the league tables. We should broaden out third level education and qualifications beyond universities to other third level institutions, apprenticeships and everything else. We need a conversation and I would appreciate the Minister of State's views.