James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister on his appointment to this new position. I am no stranger to some of the work he is doing in the Department and I wish him well.

This is an incredibly important time for many undergraduates and postgraduates. The lives of all citizens have been changed by Covid-19. Today I highlight the ability of young people to access higher education funding under the SUSI system. Many young people have moved home from across the globe and elsewhere Ireland due to Covid-19. They are now ineligible to be classified as independent candidates under SUSI as they have not been deemed as living independently since the previous October. Does the Minister recognise this dilemma? Has his Department brought forward steps to address this particular issue for doctoral funding?

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