Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I join with my colleagues in wishing the Ceann Comhairle well in his new post. I refer to the commitment about third level fees in the programme for Government. Will a cap be put on the registration fee? There is great concern among people who must pay a €1,500 registration fee. Will that figure rise? The Taoiseach represents a rural constituency, as do I. People from rural areas have very significant registration fees to pay plus accommodation costs and such people are under desperate pressure. There are many families with children in college throughout the country. Is it possible that at some stage in the future people will get tax concessions or that they would be able to write costs off against tax? It is very unfair, especially for rural people. Is there a commitment that the Taoiseach will cap the fee after €1,500 and will it be possible to get tax concessions?

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