Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)

I too support my party colleagues' comments on the messages from the Minister for higher education about increasing fees in the next budget. I have got hundreds of calls from parents who are absolutely terrified of the cost that college fees will impose on them come September if there is an increase of €1,000.We know a lot of families who have two, three and even four people going to college at the same time. That is a massive increase for people.

This reduction is something that was introduced by Deputy Simon Harris when he was the Minister for higher education and was continued by Deputy Patrick O'Donovan. I remember when the programme for Government was being discussed that it was a priority for Fine Gael to reduce college fees and get it in the programme for Government. In fairness to my colleagues, this issue was highlighted two months ago in this Chamber because we got wind that the Minister might do a solo run and increase the fees. He came into this Chamber, said he had an open door, would discuss it with people and nothing would be done without talking. Since 7 May, it seems like the door has been closed and he has just done this himself. When he spoke in this Chamber two months ago, he said:

The programme for Government commits to reducing the student contribution fee in a financially sustainable manner over the lifetime of the Government. I fully intend to do that.

That is what he said in this Chamber two months ago. He fully intends to reduce the college fees because of the burden it is on parents. Yet in the very first budget and first opportunity he has as the Minister for higher education, he throws a fee of €1,000 on every child that goes to college. It is not acceptable. It is not fair. We are meant to be a supportive Government. Certainly the Fine Gael Party supports families and education. It is what we stand for. The fee needs to be reversed. The Minister needs to be brought back in line with what the programme of Government negotiated on. He was in those negotiations and he signed off on it himself. We call on the Minister to clarify his position, and roll back in line with what he said in this Chamber two months ago and reopen his door so that he can listen to people who know what is happening on the ground.