Madam, – Muireann Lynch’s proposal (October 30th) to charge full third–level fees only to those “who attended private secondary schools and grind schools” makes no sense.
This proposal is an insult to the many low- to middle-income parents who choose to send their children to fee-paying schools. Unfortunately Ms Lynch appears to have been caught up in a media hype that portrays all those who send their children to private schools as being part of Ireland’s wealthy elite.
The reality is that many parents on modest incomes send their children to fee-paying schools in the belief that they will be afforded better opportunities in life than if they attended State schools.
It would be most unfortunate if the Government then discriminated against third-level students from modest backgrounds just because their parents made financial sacrifices to provide a better future for them.
I agree the reintroduction of third-level fees is necessary in order to adequately fund our colleges and universities. However, I hope the Government doesn’t give much thought to Ms Lynch’s proposal as it is more foolish than “foolproof”. – Yours, etc,