Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)

Related to that, the cost of accommodation puts a huge pressure on students to work. I think most people would be okay with a little amount of work happening on the side. However, the figures for UCC, for example, show that 60% of students are working outside their full-time study, with one-in-five working more 20 hours per week. I presume this has an impact on their academic lives, but also their social lives. They are effectively in college or working all the time.

As was noted, more than 25% of those working students are earning below the minimum wage. Is that legally earning below the minimum wage with the sub-minimum rates for under-20s, or is it being paid cash in hand, illegally under the minimum wage, or a mixture of both?