Madam, - As the parent of teenagers about to enter third-level education, I watch with interest as the Minister for Education decides on the re-introduction of third-level tuition fees. While many hard-pressed PAYE parents are beginning to panic about how their children's education will be funded, I believe a few points need to be examined.
To date the Minister has shown a willingness to face challenges and the courage to introduce some much-needed change in the education system. I hope he will continue to use this foresight as he ponders the question of third-level fees.
Three areas in particular need to be considered:
1. The savings to the taxpayer which should result in a reduction of taxes, freeing up some resources which could in turn be used to support students in the family at the discretion of parents.
2. The introduction of low-interest loans to students, repayable after, say, five years or the completion of a degree. The repayments could be allowed tax relief somewhat similar to mortgage relief.
3. The freer movement of university students from one faculty/department to another and the option of choosing subjects from different disciplines simultaneously (as in the American system). This would help students to make earlier subject and career choices, rather than having to stay with a chosen course for the duration of the academic year, or drop out.
Having to take responsibility for the cost of one's education does help focus one's direction. The modern phenomenon of young adults completing a degree and apparently only then beginning to consider what they really want to do with their lives is leaving many parents perplexed.
That young adults (many in their mid-twenties) are still looking for a direction in their lives, with many still financially dependent on home, makes one ask whether so-called free third-level education was a good idea.
So before we take sides in this debate, let us take time to consider exactly how well the current system has served individual taxpayers and society as a whole. - Yours, etc.,
EILEEN KELLY, Knocknacarra, Galway.