Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. I apologise for missing the earlier part of the meeting but the Chairman had an interview on RTE. First, I want to declare that I was guest of UCC law department recently at Hayfield Manor in Cork on the subject of women in law reform in case there is any perceived conflict of interest.

I want to ask about needs-blind admission and those who can pay and those who cannot. Professor O'Shea mentioned there were approximately 22,000 students in UCC. Access to education is very important, particularly for people who are disadvantaged or do not have the means. What percentage of the 22,000 students are financially assisted by UCC? How is the assistance means tested? I am not suggesting that people use fraudulent means but that has to be policed in order that the bona fides of each applicant is taken into account.