Sir, - I am writing to you in connection with the recent failure of yet another third-level private college. I wholeheartedly agree with the comments made by Michael Martin TD, which stated that a bonding system is necessary for private colleges in order to ensure that students can complete their courses even if the college runs into financial difficulties. As president of Portobello College, Dublin, 1 am proud to announce that Portobello College has such a bond.
In response to recommendations of the 1995 White Paper on education concerning private colleges, Portobello College has formed a trust company, Portobello College Holdings which ensure the completion of all third-level full-time and part-time courses being taken by students at the college. Portobello College Holdings has the benefit of a financial bond facility from Allied Irish Banks plc for this purpose.
In view of the latest failure, I feel parents and students would be very well advised in seeing to it that the private college which their son or daughter attends, is sufficiently bonded to guarantee continuity of the course upon which they have embarked. Refund of fees in my opinion - is not an option. Guarantee of continuity, of course, is the crucial issue. - Yours, etc.,
President, Portobello College, South Richmond Street, Dublin 2.