Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for the presentation and the report. I also thank them for highlighting the very important issues in this area. I am afraid I have to leave to attend a meeting on climate change, a matter on which I will be tabling a Bill next week. I apologise that I will have to leave but I will ask a couple of questions before I do so.

That 109,000 people have returned to Ireland in the last four years is very good news for us. There is a shortage of labour in the hospitality industry. There is a shortage of chefs. There are also shortages of nurses, teachers and construction industry workers. One would think that the Government would be saying "Céad míle fáilte" and welcoming those people back with open arms rather than putting obstacles in their way by means of these kind of mechanisms. One such obstacle I have come across is that many young people who left when the economy collapsed in 2009 and 2010 and who have returned are trying to work and educate themselves. When they go to college, however, they are not entitled to have their fees paid, even though this will be the first time many of them have attended third level. Can the witness comment on that and indicate if there is something we can do to address it? This is a big issue that young people are facing. The Government, instead of making obstacles for these people, should be bending over backwards to encourage them to come back and work because there is a labour shortage on the horizon. They should also be paid to undertake further training and education. These people contributed hugely to society before the recession via taxation and social protection measures, but are now being told that they are not entitled to an education. Can the witness comment on this?