Minister should intervene in cross-border fees issue - Ó Caoláin
The arrangement whereby students from the 26 Counties can avail of
education
and training in the six colleges of Further Education in the Six
Counties
without paying fees is under threat. Up to 5000 students, mainly
from
the Border counties, avail of this educational facility and
Cavan-Monaghan
Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has urged the Minister for
Education
and Science Mary Hanafin to intervene with her Northern
counterpart
to ensure that students are not forced to leave courses and
that
a proper all-Ireland scheme is put in place.
Because of
education budget cuts imposed in the North by the British
government
students may now be denied places. They may have to prove
residency
in the Six Counties or be required to pay full fees if they live
in the
26 Counties. Deputy Ó Caoláin said:
“Thousands of
students take up full-time and part-time courses in colleges
such as
Fermanagh, Newry and the North West Institute. Courses include IT
and
skilled trades, including construction. The cost to the Department of
Education
in the North is estimated at €9 million per year which is a
relatively
modest figure, given the importance that both governments
rightly
attach to training and education.
“I understand that up to now
the education authorities in the Six Counties
were not applying
‘residency status’ criteria for students applying for
places
in these colleges. Students from the 26 Counties who are living at
home
in this jurisdiction have been able to avail of education and training
in
these institutions on an equal footing with their counterparts from
across
the Border. A British government budget cut of €13 million now
threatens
this arrangement. Teaching posts are also at risk.
“Urgent
action is required and my colleague Sinn Féin Education
spokesperson
in the Six Counties, Michael Ferguson MLA, has called for the
Education
Departments North and South to meet and to ensure that no student
loses
out. We need to work out arrangements which will harmonise access to
education
and training on an all-Ireland basis. Nowhere is that more
important
than in the Border counties and I am urging the Minister for
Education
and Science Mary Hanafin to intervene directly. No student should
be
at a disadvantage because of partition and we should be pooling the
considerable
educational resources we enjoy on this island.” ENDS