Council demand for household-charge proof
Jonathan O’Brien says Clare County Council’s letter requiring proof of household-charge payment before processing grant applications is unacceptable and urges the Government to protect access to education.
I do not know whether the Taoiseach has seen the letter from Clare County Council but it states clearly that to process the application, it is seeking proof of payment of the household charge. That is unacceptable and it is not good enough for him to come into the House and wash his hands of it.
Comment on this
It was also not good enough for the Minister for Education and Skills to support the move by Clare County Council this morning. The Taoiseach and the Minister have a responsibility to ensure that people have access to education and they should not support moves by any county council that prevent access to education. The Taoiseach's comments are not good enough.