Why does the situation prevail that wealthy students still have a far better chance at college than those from disadvantaged areas and families?!
The 'postcode lottery' around who goes to college, and who gets elite degree courses, is once again shown up in a new Higher Education Report into the socio-economic profile of Irish students in universities and Institutes of Technology.
On Deise Today this morning, Damien spoke to Katherine Donnelly who is Education Editor of 'The Irish Independent'.
They reported one glaring example from the new report... students from affluent areas filling a whopping 35% of places in medicine, compared with an enrolment of just 4% from disadvantaged areas.
On average, for every 10 students from the most affluent areas, there are only five from the most disadvantaged - a ratio of two to one.
"Money does tend to matter in the Irish education system," Katherine Donnelly told Damien this morning.
"What we've seen in other reports is that people who can afford either private education or grinds for their children...they can support them to achieve higher in exams, including the Leaving Cert. And with those higher points then, they have a better chance of getting into courses in finance and the medical profession which in turn leads to careers where people can earn a lot of money."
You can listen back to Katherine Donnelly speaking to Damien by clicking below here...
Meanwhile, also on this morning's show...
Barbara Bent of Waterford SPCA spoke about issues of animal neglect following the horrific discovery of a dead dog dumped at a bottle bag in the county with a bag over its head...
Sinn Fein city and county councillor John Hearne spoke to Damien about his life and times - and why he decided to become a politician...
And Damien spoke to hurling fans, young and old, from Lismore...ahead of this weekend's much-anticipated All-Ireland final clash!...
