I met with representatives of the Union of Secondary Students recently and, among other things, we discussed the question of financial support from my Department for the union. I have informed the students that I am willing to consider requests from their organisation for financial assistance for specific projects such as their annual general meeting or the hosting of conferences. However, it is not appropriate for my Department to contribute to the running of a representative body such as USSS. My Department does not provide such funding for the Union of Students in Ireland, nor indeed for the teaching unions.