Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As education spokesperson for my party, I will limit my remarks mainly to issues and points concerning the possible impact on education. I appreciate that we are talking in a vacuum to a certain extent because we do not know exactly what the outcome will be. Many have made the point over the past few days that circumstances seem to be changing daily and that there is even the possibility of a second referendum.

My first point is on SUSI, which Members will know administers the grants system for students at third level. Recently, the education committee discussed an amendment that would safeguard students' entitlement to grants north and south of the Border should a no-deal Brexit take place. I welcome that. We obviously need to be very clear on that so none of the 1,500 students studying in the North of Ireland or Britain who are currently entitled to SUSI assistance will be negatively affected should the circumstances drastically change. We will be submitting an amendment concerning an issue related to SUSI that I believe has not been addressed. The body operates in a rather regimented manner, as I am sure those who deal with it regularly will agree. There is very little flexibility regarding rules, guidelines and applications. Applications that may be more complex in nature due to a student's circumstances can prove to be very difficult. We have been informed by the Department that those in the student support scheme should not be affected in the event of a no-deal Brexit. However, I am very concerned that the already busy offices of SUSI could be overhauled by an influx of queries for which they are not prepared. Therefore, we will be suggesting the setting up within SUSI of a specific branch with additional resources and staff who are up to speed and properly briefed to deal with Brexit-related matters. This is so that applications of students applying for grants for higher-level institutions in either the North or Britain will be dealt with accurately and fairly with and also so the additional potential queries will not overload SUSI, causing a backlog affecting the more general, run-of-the-mill applications received daily. That is important because even dealing with a general SUSI case can be difficult at times. It is important, in respect of the additional queries, that there be very specific information and that applicants be directed to the right channel. I foresee many difficulties and issues. We may be told by the Government that there are protections but when individuals telephone SUSI they may get different information. There may be a breakdown in this regard and that is why it is crucial to have a specific branch within SUSI to deal with this.

My other point relates to fees. Many are talking about the effect of not knowing exactly where we are going with Brexit. Last September, there was a 20% decrease in applications for places at Trinity College from students in the North. I imagine this is because both students and parents are thinking there is uncertainty over fees. There is a commitment made for this September but thereafter a student will not realistically enrol in college if there a commitment for only one year. We need to see a commitment for the duration of a student's time in college, irrespective of whether it is a three-year degree or four-year degree. This needs to be clarified. Last September, there was a decrease in the number of applications from the North. This trend will continue unless there is clarity and a commitment.

I had the privilege of chairing the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement in 2016 and 2017. When Brexit was announced, I noted the number of number of groups we met that were really concerned. So many lives will be affected if there is a hard border. I refer to the daily goings-on of people, be they travelling to school or work. We all hope there will be some sort of deal or compromise reached so we will not have to implement the measures in this Bill.

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