Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

Is the Minister bringing proposals to the Cabinet next Tuesday? Can he confirm to the House whether it is his belief that a new funding scheme will be in place for the Autumn period of this year for new entrants to college? If a scheme is not in place, will those who will come into college next September or October as new entrants into the higher education system be part of the old funding system and not the new one? I do not want the Minister to comment on the clear, open trench warfare which currently exists between his Department and the Department of Finance. Can he put his preferred option on the record?

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