Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Student Support Bill. Our attitude to education is one thing that unifies this House. It goes back many years, with successive Ministers with responsibility for education who have made various changes to create what is an education system of which we are proud. Like anything, it needs alteration as time goes by. Varying circumstances lead to us implementing changes.

The Student Support Bill is about helping students pass through college and deal with the issues that affect them in college years. It is a major transition for anyone who is living in a protected environment in an economy that is doing well to leave home in a rural area and move to universities in the cities to take up a different life, where they are exposed to facets of modern life such as drugs and drink. These are in the world and it is important to discuss the lives of students.

We are very proud of our education system, which has helped the Celtic tiger. We refer to managing the economy and the business of running the country but the reality is that our education system played a major part in the type of graduates that emerged, particularly from UL, which was granted university status some years ago. Some of the courses offered there are much sought after in the business world in Ireland and abroad. This has attracted a major amount of industry to Ireland and I commend this.

I wish to refer to many aspects of this Bill and many issues that affect students. I feel strongly about the acquisition of computers for students. A computer is an essential part of any student's life. Irish banks offer students overdrafts and I question the wisdom of this. Why do banks encourage students to have interest-free overdrafts for a number of years? I challenge the banks to grant aid or give students a laptop. It would be a far better gesture than giving an overdraft that could be spent on parties. It must be paid back but it is given interest free. I challenge the banks to help students who are worse off and need computers. If the banks do not do it, the Department should intervene when it is allocating grants to allow for the purchase of computers.

As a representative of a rural constituency with no third level institution apart from the Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute, TRBDI, I know there is particular pressure on the parents who must send their children to college and pay for rent or accommodation compared to those living in cities such as Dublin or Cork. It is a major cost for parents who must fork out large sums every week for student accommodation. There should be a tax break. I know people with three children in college who find it extremely difficult. They must remortgage their house, take out loans or use their savings. Having to pay for accommodation during the week, as well as providing it at home during the weekend, is grossly unfair. Of all the matters examined in education, this has not been considered. There should be a tax break for these people. I know of many instances of this in my constituency.

The grant application form should be on-line. I hope this will be realised in the Bill. Everything is on-line, including applications for passports, driving licences and car tax. Students who are so competent with computers should be given access to applications on-line.

The VECs and councils implement these grants. As public representatives we meet those on the verges, particularly the self-employed who cannot get grants. The process has been greatly streamlined and VECs and local authorities should be commended for very good work.

When people go from a safe and protected environment into the world of education, there is not enough guidance or help for students managing their finances. Many end up in debt or borrow money from other students or brothers and sisters. Some receive money from home, others receive grants and some work at weekends. At that point in their lives, a certain number of students need help and support in managing their finances. They may come from homes with little expertise at managing finances so the students have no training. There is a back-up role for student unions or universities to help students to manage their finances. We should encourage this when referring to student support. We should consider that for this Bill. It would be money wisely invested and would provide a back-up in the long term. Whether these people finish college, it would be beneficial if they were given guidance. Will the Minister of State consider the issues of finance management and computers? There is a new category of poor person in terms of those who send their children to college and I urge that everything possible be done for them. In that regard, the Bill is welcome and timely.

Last week I was involved in the decision of my parliamentary party' to support university status for Waterford Institute of Technology because, given the impact of the University of Limerick on the mid-west, it would be good for the south east. As we develop universities, Waterford Institute of Technology should have such status. I hope the Government will be able to see its way towards supporting this call.

There are many proposals before the Department regarding the Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute, now known as the Tipperary Institute, which has a significant future and for which land is ready at Ballingarrane, just outside Clonmel. I would like the institute to be developed because not enough students attend it. Deputy O'Connor referred to the numbers attending the Institute of Technology Tallaght. We must all look after our own corner; therefore, I ask the Department to consider the Tipperary Institute. As the economy changes and we move away from dependence on the building industry, many rural businesses have the potential to be developed and have a new role, particularly given the World Trade Organisation negotiations. Considerable changes are in store for rural Ireland and, as such, County Tipperary needs bodies such as the business institutes in Thurles and Clonmel.

I thank the Acting Chairman for the opportunity to say these few words on what is an important Bill. We are proud of developments in the education sector. Students from my locality are touring the Houses. I do not know whether they are present, but I welcome the students from Cashel community school.

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