Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to see the Minister's enthusiasm and I hope he will be as enthusiastic in funding this. A network of hubs and satellite campuses would not only be important during the pandemic but would also enable greater participation more broadly. Considerable accommodation and living costs are a barrier for some students, and mature students, part-time students and parents would benefit from local facilities as well. Through their links with universities and colleges, hubs and campuses could also facilitate more research of rural issues and serve as incubators for innovation. Representatives of the third level institutions I have met are very enthusiastic about the idea and would be willing to work with the Minister on it.

This year's students will need targeted support, such as funding to avail of existing hubs, which have to run on a commercial basis. I welcome the idea of working with HEAnet but there are existing facilities like the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, the newly opened Bantry Bay Works and so many more that provide student rates. It would be good to work with them and support local business. The businesses already provide student rates but the Minister's intervention could help subsidise this further and roll out such a process across rural Ireland, which would make a significant difference to many families. Will the Minister consider providing funding for existing local businesses to try to support them as well as pursuing the HEAnet project? I am open to looking at that too.

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