Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleague, Senator Malcolm Byrne, in calling for a debate on higher education funding, including the announcement today by the Government. In welcoming that funding, I want to pay tribute to my uncle, Mr. Peter Cassells, who produced a report six years ago on the under-funding of third level in this country, which had left it in a perilous state. Since Mr. Cassells produced that report, we have seen an additional €1 billion provided for college education. The Taoiseach has been extremely strong on the need to ensure additional funding was directed to that sphere. While I welcome the additional €370 million in core funding announced today, it is imperative now that the Minister delivers on his statement today to reduce student contribution fees. That is central to the very essence of what we do here. While investing in the system of third level is important, reducing costs to those who need to access it is essential. Cost cannot be a barrier to students accessing third level.