Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have heard an announcement here about additional places in third level to be offered to students. Will students be included who are exploring alternative routes to third level through schemes like the higher education access route, HEAR, for socio-economically disadvantaged students or the disability access route to education, DARE, scheme for students with additional needs? These are wonderful schemes and it is important this year especially that they are not excluded from the new plans. Covid-19 has shone a light on the disadvantage that people face. On youth unemployment figures, more than 13,100 people under the age of 24 were unemployed in July. That is getting more people into third level education is vital at this stage.

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