Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Senator for that interesting comment. I will not take up too much time myself as we need to get back to the four experts and professionals. However, areas of concern to me would include equity of access and ensuring that, no matter what, we are not putting more barriers in the way of students. I was going to say young people but sometimes older people want access as well. The issue of choice was referred to by Deputy Martin. I would be interested in the witnesses' thoughts on students who start to work, become parents and then make a decision for one reason or another to stay at home and care for their children.

There is a huge concern about what has happened in the United States and New Zealand. None of us could or would ever condone a situation, and we would ensure we never have it, where people who have not paid back their loans have the bailiff or the sheriff knocking on their doors.

We cannot say that loans do not happen at this point. This has been lost a little bit. I know of many situations - I am sure all of us do - where parents took out significant loans to ensure their children go to college, particularly those who are just over the SUSI threshold and those who live outside of a city where there is easy access to college. Members of my family have taken out loans with high interest rates for further education such as a masters degree. We have been lucky to go on and get good jobs and be able to pay them back. Loans are a matter of fact at this point but they are not income contingent.

There was an interesting article in today's edition of The Irish Timesabout a study by Professor Chapman and Dr. Doris. The size of a loan was set at €16,000, which would be €4,000 per year of study, and its repayment would kick into play, possibly, when a graduate would reach the average graduate salary of €26,000. Repayment would therefore be completed by the age of 33. To put a bit of balance into the debate, this goes against some of the figures.