Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the programme for Government, there is an ambition that we would become a leader in the provision of a world-class education model. However, in recent times a retiring college professor or president said that college fees should be increased and that students should have to take out loans. This, again, will affect students from rural areas much harder than those from urban areas. I ask the Tánaiste not to increase college fees because it will impact on rural areas. Students coming up to cities where there are colleges are already disadvantaged with the rising cost of accommodation. I ask the Government to ensure that the cost of college fees is not increased and that students will not have to take out loans.

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