Dr. Joseph Ryan:

Senator Flynn's question and Mr. Miley's answer speak to how all of these things are interconnected. I agree with Mr. Miley on whether the core funding model supports it all. No, it does not. If ever we saw a light shone on that, it was through Covid. It certainly showed up the inequality. I have mentioned sustainable development goal 4 and the question of equity. As Mr. Miley said, it should not be down to postcode. It should be available to everyone who has the determination, ambition and willingness to go. Some people will need more support. Access is one question but the Senator is absolutely right to focus on it. It is only one part of it. We then have to support people when they are in the system. Some good work was done and continues to be done by the HEA on these questions of indicators of success. It has looked at measures such as numeracy and literacy. This work has been going on for more than ten years at this stage. In fairness, it helps to focus where supports are given. As I have said, Covid has shown this. Other work is being done by the national forum, which has done some great work. The students themselves have also done work on this.