Mr. Jim Miley:

I will address one of the Senator's points and then hand over to colleagues. Her core question was whether the model addresses the needs of all students. It is clear it does not do so at the moment. That is why in our submission we have outlined that a package of measures is essential. It would be damaging to address the student fee issue but not address the core funding issue, or vice versa. In an ideal world where there was an open chequebook, third level education would be free for everyone in all its respects, including the fees and all the related expenses associated with it. However, we need to be pragmatic. We do not live in an ideal world and there will always be a limited budget available. We recognise that in any discussion we have with the Government. In that context, choices have to be made in respect of making the limited budget available and prioritising those who need it most.

That speaks to the point the Senator is raising. Although the SUSI system has done a lot to give some students an opportunity they may not otherwise have had, some of those students are not getting enough. They are getting their fees paid but are still unable to afford to live while going to college. There are other prospective students who still are not getting in the door. We believe that needs to be reformed. There are preferential access routes through the disability access route to education, DARE, and higher education access route, HEAR schemes. The points system has been moderated to give opportunity to people who have a disadvantage, and that needs to be continually upgraded and improved. There is no point in opening the door in the context of the points system if the funding is not there to support the student on the other side.

We think this part of the package is fundamental to any Government decision that comes.