Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Ó Muirí and he is correct that I had the honour of visiting Marino Institute of Education. It is a brilliant third level facility and it had made this point for some time. I want to acknowledge that. The reason some of its courses are not funded under the free fees initiative is because of its status as a private institution with charitable status under the co-trusteeship of the European Province of the Congregation of Christian Brothers and Trinity College Dublin. From memory, we brought in a new Higher Education Act which gives an ability to a private institution to decide to bring itself closer into the family, to use colloquial language, and therefore that opens up opportunities on free fees. On foot of the Deputy raising this, I will ask the Minister, Deputy Lawless, to come back to him directly. I have no doubt the Minister and officials will meet MIE. I know they are in ongoing engagement on this matter. I thank him for highlighting this.

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