Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Am I right in saying that the Government will now have to sell this on the basis that it will generate just €47 million in any given year? The Minister of State's reply is similar to an answer provided in the Dáil which stated that €55 million would be generated in any one year as a result of the increased charges, but that because of the clawback in tax relief there would be a loss of €8 million. I am suggesting therefore that the net benefit to the Exchequer will be €47 million. If so, that is what the Government will have to sell to the increasing wrath of the Union of Students in Ireland and to parents who will have to scramble to provide this extra money. I fully understand, and in no way wish to understate, the real economic challenge facing the Government. I hope, however, that it will not be a repeat of the attempt by the last Government to end medical cards for all. That was done for an equally small sum of money in the overall economic context.

Nonetheless, I am grateful to the Minister of State for at least bringing clarity to this situation. Since the change of Government, this has been a grey area for parents.