Mr. Mark McSherry:

I did phase 2 of my training in Waterford, but I am from Cavan. I had to drive down to Waterford, stay for the week there and then drive back home. I was only on around €300 a week so by the time I drove down, that was a couple of hundred euro gone on petrol for the car. It cost me €150 to stay over and I had to eat for the week too so I was probably only coming home with €30 in profit. At the weekend, I might go out or do something and that would be null and void - I would be coming home with nothing. I had six months of that whereas all of my friends who went to college, in Maynooth, Dublin and Limerick, were all getting SUSI grants. Their college was paid for in that year and all they had to pay for was the commute. They were all working Saturday jobs as well so they were all better off than me for a long time. I am better off now, however, because as I learn, my money goes up every year. They are all still on the same amount of money with their part-time jobs but when they are qualified, they will probably be on more than me. I am only better off for a wee while.