Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Most of the Senators have already raised my concerns. I view this matter differently because I am a parent who has sent her four children to third level education. I believe in free education but, unfortunately, there is no such thing. Primary school education is under-resourced and parents are seeking help. Secondary school students use iPads but, unfortunately, most families cannot afford them. Parents now find it hard to educate their children and that is a major flaw in the system.

At one stage I had to pay fees for my three children who were in third level education. Nobody here has mentioned recent increases in registration fees. Two years ago the fee was €2,750 but then it was increased to €3,000. We should have a system in place that does not charge €3,000 to register. People cannot afford to pay the fee. We must introduce a system that reduces the fee. Some colleges will take payment in instalments while others do not. All parents should be given the option of paying by instalments. Unfortunately, it is left to the colleges to decide whether fees can be paid in instalments, which is unacceptable. We must legislate and thus ensure that every third level college adopts a system of payment that allows instalments to be paid. We must also reduce the registration fee.

The Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grants is another big issue that has not been mentioned today. SUSI grants are an absolute disaster. There is no such thing as an appeals system and PAYE workers are crippled. I know students who did not qualify for the grant because they were €5 or €10 over the qualifying threshold. I asked SUSI to make an exception but its staff would not budge. If these failings in the system are not addressed, how can we have free education? The reason half of the kids do not get to third level is because they are not given a chance by not being allowed to avail of a SUSI grant. The current system is not fit for purpose. We must reduce registration fees of €3,000. We need a payment system that allows instalments to be made and we need the SUSI grants to be reformed. Tomorrow is the last day one can apply for a SUSI grant and I have emailed many people about the closing date. The staff in SUSI are very good and answer all queries. My issue is that they can show no leniency no matter how much one appeals to them that a person is only €5 over the qualifying threshold.

Let us say two parents in a family are in work and one has a student who works at Christmas and during holiday period. All that income is taken into consideration. The money earned by a student working to earn enough to put himself or herself through college should not be taken into consideration when it comes to SUSI grants. The student's earnings are included on the P60 that belongs to his or her parents and, as a result, the student does not qualify for a grant. Students have cried in my office because they did not qualify for a SUSI grant and, therefore, could not go to college. We must address these matters first and then examine the bigger picture of giving free education. I am all for free education after putting four children through college.

The loan system is another issue. As Members will know, there is a shortage of doctors even though some of them will have availed of a loan system. There is a loan system in England and other countries but it burdens students with a debt even before they graduate. A loan system only works if a person is guaranteed a job, which I do not think will happen. I totally oppose the loan system as it does not work.

I have massive concerns about postgraduate education. More funding must be given to postgraduate education. I agree with the principle that students should not have to pay but we must be realistic. If the Government cannot resolve the current issues then how can we have no fees for students? I am surprised at the Labour Party's proposal. I am surprised that its Senators have not lobbied the Minister of State today for a better system or fought like I have done every day for an improved SUSI system and for fees to be reassessed. It is only after we have worked on the areas that I have outlined that we can examine the prospect of free education, starting with primary education. We must address the fact there is no such thing as free education.

I want to say to the students seated in the Visitors Gallery that I know where they are coming from on this matter as I have put my four kids through college. The Minister of State must resolve these matters before examining the issue of free education.