Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

One of the submissions referred to how housing constitutes a barrier to access to education and staying in education. We all know about this. I know of so many commuting students who ended up dropping out. It is impossible to study, commute and try to pay for everything. We all know the stories. I acknowledge some positive points were made on the RTB and on the complexity of the legislation. In the short term, however, we want our Bill to go through. The Department has its issues with it. Deputy Ó Broin made the point this morning that we are willing to work with the Minister and Department to ascertain what amendments can be made, or whether they can come up with something that would allow us to withdraw our Bill. In the short term, what can be offered to students who are currently in college or individuals looking at the footage from today saying they had to drop out or students who are starting college next September? I acknowledge what was said about purpose-built student accommodation but it will be at least two years before it is provided. It will not be in every area, nor will it meet all the demand. There has not been no increase in the grants, for which so many do not qualify. This is an issue I encounter. I refer, in particular, to the circumstances of those with a number of children in college who do not get any financial support whatsoever. What short-term accommodation solutions are there for students seeking to start college next September?