Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I thank Mr. Roche. Those are my few wee questions. We could ask questions for hours but we will not.

I thank Mr. Kindl, Mr. Angland, Mr. O'Mahony, Ms Hall and Mr. Roche for their contributions today. We have all heard very clearly that there are huge challenges for students right across accommodation, the cost of living and so many other issues. The witnesses can hear from us as a committee that we take these concerns seriously. We are listening to them, which is why we have this as the subject of our first committee meeting on the first day of this Dáil term. It was a constructive meeting. We have had some solutions and a very positive airing of the problems.

What I take from this meeting and our previous student accommodation meeting is that availability, quality and cost are the three things we need to make sure we are driving home at all times. Yes, there has been small progress. As Mr. O'Mahony said, 30,000 units were needed some years ago.

It is about making sure the planning applications in the system for new student accommodation are built. I am hoping with the clear focus by the Department and the Minister, Deputy Lawless, the funding will come forth from the Department to ensure our universities and technological universities can actually deliver and look after our students to ensure they have a full educational experience. I learned just as much outside university as I did inside. It is a great thing and Deputy Feighan should definitely take an opportunity to take part in student life, maybe when he finishes political life.