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

Before the Minister came in, he met some of the apprentices. We really need to hear what they have said. Their contribution was very valuable in informing where we need to go with apprenticeships. I thank them for that. Saint Brendan's College in Belmullet asked me to pass on its thanks to the Minister for the message. My son is in the leaving certificate class there.

We have had several conversations about the Funding the Future policy in the Dáil, and we agree with the sentiments of where the Minister is trying to go with it. We need some timeframes on delivery in terms of the reduction of the fees and the other things mentioned in it. If many of the changes recommended in the Cassells report are not introduced until 2026, that will be ten years after the publication of the report. We are in an ever-changing environment. My concern is we are going to be playing catch-up all the time. People want to see timescales on where we are going both with the SUSI reforms and the deficit in third level education. I know the Minister agrees we are reaping the negative effects of the deficit and the austerity in the third level sector in terms of our workforce planning. We may be faced with the situation again this year where students with the maximum number of points cannot get places on high-demand courses. I do not know if the Minister has any further information on the extra places on high-demand courses that were discussed last week. If the Minister has that information, I ask him to supply us with it.

I also want to raise the issue of the borrowing ability of technological universities. When will the technological universities be in a situation where they can borrow?

I also want to make two points that are relevant in the immediate term. Due to the cost-of-living crisis we are experiencing and ever-increasing inflation, is there any way the SUSI grants can be provided earlier this year? On the timing of the student assistance fund, we often hear it is October or November before students receive their funds. Getting a place in college involves stresses and strains and upfront costs. Is there a way that we can make the assistance more accessible earlier because of the cost-of-living crisis we are in? I will leave it at that. I want to give the Minister time to respond.