Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask the witnesses about two other issues. First, Mr. Deenihan cited mental health and well-being supports. I am concerned that we are not meeting the need and the demand in the third level sector for mental health supports. I am particularly concerned about services being bought in on an ad hocbasis, according to what can be afforded at the time. I would like us to get to a position where, if we are serious about addressing mental health issues and supports within the sector, we can properly employ people instead in order that we have certainty that this is not just done annually.

Second, the new HEA Bill provides for North-South student mobility, which I am very pleased about. I have had many discussions with the Minister and his Department about this. How do the witnesses see that they can implement that within their institutions to encourage more North-South student mobility to increase the opportunities across the island?