Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will now continue with a discussion on the following key issues in the higher and further education sector: the key recommendations in the future of higher education report; UCD Student Union's report on student accommodation; improved public transport to enable students to commute from their home counties to college; the need for additional courses in veterinary surgery and other professions with graduate shortages; academic employment precarity; the national review of State supports for PhD researchers; the student contribution fee for 2023-24; the plans for the National Training Fund, NTF; and EuroSkills 2023.

I will invite the Minister, Deputy Harris, to make an opening statement of five minutes. This will be followed by questions from members. Each member will have a slot of approximately six minutes, given our time constraints, in which to ask questions of the Minister and receive responses. As the Minister is probably aware, the committee will publish the opening statements on its website following the meeting.

I again remind members of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity inside or outside of the Houses in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

The Minister has five minutes to make his opening statement.