“Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if he plans to reintroduce third level fees in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Deputy Batt O’Keeffe: ‘The issue of the re-introduction of third level fees, to which the Deputy refers, should be viewed in the context of the wider funding of higher education. The Government is investing unprecedented levels of public funding in higher education. In 2008 some €2 billion was invested in our higher education sector. In contributing to the achievement of national policy goals for social and economic development, it can be anticipated that there will be continuing significant resource needs for the sector …’” (more)
[Dáil Éireann, 25 March]