Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I welcome the legislation which I called for previously on a number of occasions. There is much confusion among the student population, who are doing the leaving certificate, and their parents as to where they should go for information and apply for grants, which is critical for many. I welcome the fact that the Minister has identified the vocational education service as the body to run the scheme. It is uniquely equipped to run the scheme because of its historic involvement in education, its understanding of education, running so many second level schools and the local and community involvement in education committees. County councils, in particular Kerry County Council, operated the scheme well and it was accessible at all times. Its approach was very professional. When unifying the grant payments system this was the best approach because the role of the vocational education committees is education and because they have a connection with the schools in their area. They will be able to go as a single body to the schools and advise leaving certificate students well in advance of the application date, the requirements and how the grants system works. There could be a very good synergy between VECs and all the schools as regards providing information. At present it is difficult given that the VECs and the county councils are doing this. That probably means that neither will do it.

Through career guidance teachers I can see a good synergy emerging between schools and the VECs as regards the administration and understanding of the grants system. I compliment the Minister on bringing forward the Bill. It will result in a marked improvement and will eliminate the confusion that arises especially in September when people focus on the necessity of getting a grant to attend college. In many cases people are not prepared to apply for a grant and at times do not know what precisely they want to do. Young people change their minds on a number of occasions in regard to the courses they wish to pursue.

I refer briefly to a few particular cases. As Deputy O'Mahony said, there is a need to look at the issue of student accommodation. The Government promised the Union of Students in Ireland that it would set up a student accommodation task force. Most TDs would have been briefed today by the USI. Certainly this is one of the points that came across very strongly. When replying to Second Stage, I ask the Minister to respond to the issue of the student accommodation task force. There is a need for a major review of the maintenance grant. The maximum maintenance grant of €3,420 is insufficient when one considers the annual cost of paying one's way through college in Dublin is approximately €8,000. Students must make up the balance by working and new figures show that 50% of students in third level education are working, even during term time, to pay their way through college. This places a major burden on students and their families.

Given that students only attend college for three to four years, it is important they spend as much time as possible studying and carrying out research, rather than working and confining their efforts to preparing for examinations or studying a few aspects of their curriculum. They need to immerse themselves in college life and get the most out of their courses. If most of one's spare time is spent working, one cannot do sufficient research.

Figures from the Union of Students of Ireland show that the maximum of €3,420 equates to €342 per month for a ten-month academic year. The typical rent paid by students in Dublin can be as much as €600 in some areas and the total cost of living for students is calculated at €667 per month. Clearly, many students will be unable to afford the costs of studying. In many cases, the costs of accommodation compel students to stay at home and commute to a nearby college, rather than move to Dublin to study the subject of their choice. As a result, they may not enter the profession of their choice. I appeal to the Minister to take a hard look at this issue. I hope for a number of reasons that she will still be Minister for Education and Science next week.

On expenditure on education in Ireland compared to other countries, the Minister will be familiar with the OECD education survey of various countries. Figures on annual expenditure per head of the student population show that the United States, which spends $17,738 on each student, ranks highest, while our nearest neighbour spends $8,792 per head per annum. Ireland is ranked far down the league table, spending just $7,445 per head. If we are to remain competitive, we must invest more in education, whether on buildings, student accommodation or research.

One of the reasons for the remarkable economic growth of the past 14 years was that, even during the dark 1980s, when the economy was not faring well, all Governments invested in education. For example, substantial investment in institutes of technology meant that technicians were available for IT companies such as Intel and Hewlett Packard when they decided to invest here in the 1990s. The success of former Minister for Education, Ms Gemma Hussey, in negotiating ESF funding for the institutes of technology was a major, albeit under-appreciated development. Perhaps people do not want to recognise her achievement.

I also acknowledge the efforts of another former Minister for Education, Deputy Mary O'Rourke, who is present.

See this speech in context