Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an choiste fáchoinne an seans labhairt leis inniu ar an ábhar iontach tábhachtach seo. I thank members of the joint committee for the early opportunity to brief the committee on the proposed amendment to the Student Support Act 2011. I am joined by my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for higher education, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor, who will take the committee through the specifics of the proposed amendments.

My Department prepared a statement, which has been provided to the committee, but I would like to add to it. As a Donegal person, I am particularly conscious of the impact of Brexit not only in the daily lives of people living along the Border but of its potential impact on education. I am also conscious of the work-in-progress that has happened in the past two decades through the Good Friday Agreement.