Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

The Government's attacks on education will do little to help the knowledge economy. The State cannot come out of the crisis without the tools to do so. These tools include a well trained and well educated workforce. By making education the preserve of the elite and allowing an opportunity only for those who can afford it, the Government is not ensuring a workforce for the future. This is what it has done through cuts to capitation grants and in funding for higher education bodies. It has also increased fees by €250, about which I am sure the students are delighted-----

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