Professor Emer Smyth:

Decision-making in this area is really complex. Tuition fees or registration fees are such that, if you come from the North to the South, it is cheaper but accommodation costs are more expensive. In Northern Ireland, as opposed to the rest of the UK, there is still a maintenance grant as well as the student loan system but that grant is quite low. We have a student grant system in the South. Historically, when it was introduced in the early 1970s, it was pitched at the same level as unemployment payments but, over time, it has fallen behind, especially in light of the housing situation, which the Cathaoirleach has pointed out. Young people and their parents have to make really complex calculations. The fact that a chunk of people can and do live with their parents in both jurisdictions also limits their horizons as regards choice.