Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy is aware that there was no increase in charges from 1998 until the third term of the 2007 to 2008 academic year. There were three increases following from that. I am not responsible for recent newspaper articles on the issue and the McCarthy report is freely available. It goes without saying that all aspects of that report will be considered by all Departments in the context of the Estimates for 2011. I reiterate that there will be no changes to charges for the 2010 to 2011 school year and the Estimates process for 2011 is at a very early stage. All items of expenditure in the Department of Education and Skills will be considered in that context. I am not in a position to say what will be in the budget and Estimates for 2011.

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