Madam, - The Minister for Education has not shown that the reintroduction of third-level fees would improve the access of students from poorer areas to third-level colleges. Any significant increase in the number of students entering third-level will be achieved only by improved resources at primary and second level.
Despite the talk of fees being introduced for high earners, it is obvious that, for any worthwhile sum to be collected, the threshold will have to be set low enough to include middle-income earners.
Mr Dempsey must know that the tax system is the most efficient and fairest way to redistribute wealth in order to give poorer sections of society the life chances they deserve. He should be putting pressure on his cabinet colleagues to ensure a fair system of progressive taxation whereby the wealthy contribute their proper share.
Inevitably, fees would fall most heavily on the middle-income PAYE earner who already pays the vast bulk of direct tax. Surely there can be nothing less equitable than asking people on middle incomes to "carry the can" yet again. - Yours, etc.,
PATRICK PENDER,
Church Road,
Delgany,
Co Wicklow.
Madam, - I suspect the current furore is a convenient smokescreen to obscure more serious matters. In terms of priorities college fees hardly rank a mention when compared with our tottering health service, vermin-infested primary schools, and under-resourced police force.
Before the last general election the government kept its foot hard down on the funding accelerator, and promised no health cuts, more gardaí, etc. The electorate swallowed this blatant electioneering exercise, and the Government was duly returned to office.
Within months the cuts were being announced. This abrupt about-turn throws into question not only the financial acumen of the Minister of Finance and his team, but also the veracity of some ministers and TDs.
I accept that governments cannot please all of the people all of the time, but they should have the strength of leadership and humility to admit their mistakes. Please, no more bluster about college fees while people are dying on hospital trolleys. - Yours, etc.,
MIKE CORMACK,
Ardagh Close,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Madam, - God help us, a Minister is actually trying to make a difference. Such an insane departure must be prevented at all costs. He must be ambushed before his final proposals are known. After all, they may have merit. That just would not do.
A Minister trying to make a difference. He must be stopped. He even wishes to help the marginalised. Reprehensible. What next? Social equality? - Yours, etc.,
BRENDAN GOGARTY,
Law Library,
Dublin 7.
Madam, - This argument has been boiled down simplistically to the notion of "rich" students being subsidised by the "poor". But what of the middle ground?
I come from what is called the "middle classes". I attended a public secondary school in an area termed by the Government as socially disadvantaged - Finglas. The youngest of five siblings, I attended college at the same time as an older brother. Had fees been applicable they would of been a massive financial burden on two retired parents.
However, due to the abolition of fees, my college experience was not blighted by financial worries but proved to be hugely beneficial and enjoyable. - Yours, etc.,
JOE O'CONNOR,
Griifith Avenue,
Dublin 11.