Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I had anticipated that might be his response. I have probably addressed some of the matters he raised. I am aware of the structure of the free fees initiative and that the two courses I mentioned do not come under that. However, I refer to the practical reality on the ground. I think the Minister's intent when introducing this policy was to help students going to college. Marino Institute already reduced the fees of those courses, including the bachelor of science in early childhood education and the bachelor of science in education studies, to bring them in line with the other courses, keep students on a par and ensure equity. The Department of further and higher education is not meeting the college halfway on this.

I ask the Minister of State to take this back. I have discussed it with Councillor Frankie Keena, who, as I said, is on the ground and talking to students. This is a really sore point. It will be a missed opportunity if the Government does not address this. A small number of students are affected. We have to look to the true intent behind the policy as opposed to getting tied up in bureaucracy and which way the courses are set up. At the end of the day, they are all students and all have the same costs.