Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Hoey for her presentation. I was shocked to see that a person would be asked for a coroner's report to state that somebody belonging to them had passed away. That is shocking. Like other speakers, I think the USI research is really great and interesting to read. As a member of the Government side, I cannot always agree with what comes in this format, but the presentation is worth reading. It is something to chew over when considering reform. I will be raising it in the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party.

It may not be Government policy, but I agree with Ms Hoey that mature students should be assessed on their personal income and not on their parents' income. I have always believed that. It is shocking at times that young people are seen as leaning on their parents for everything. Many young people are independent and want to be seen as such, even though they might live at home. They should not be assessed on their parents' incomes because every parent is different and cannot be in one category.

I will certainly read the presentation in more detail, but what I have already looked over is very interesting.