Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too thank Sinn Féin and support this Bill wholeheartedly. I must declare an interest as I have a dalta óg, a first year who has passed and flew through it. The money was taken from people of a Friday evening but what happened that very night or the morning after was really selfish and degrading. Many students and their families struggle to make this money and the costs are not cheap. They put it together but then, that weekend, they were told there would be no on-campus tuition and they would be working from home. It is a real three-card trick. We were all told we were in this together and at that time, I thought we were. I understand the expense for the people who provide accommodation as well, many of whom did stump up and helped out as best they could with refunds. However, some of them resolutely refused and it was downright blackguarding, downright wrong and we should have legislation to deal with it because we were depending on people's goodwill and us all being in it together but it did not happen.

Students have had enough trauma and first year students especially had gone through a traumatic year with the leaving certificate and with a new system of examination and everything else. This affected all students from first year upwards and those in continuing education. Therefore we must have some kind of legislation. Families are asking and pleading for it. They have been put to the pin of their collar. Many of them are out of work themselves, are depending on the PUP, have mortgages to pay, you name it. We all know the different stresses there can be in households. They vary but they are difficult and it is not easy. We must have legislation because the colleges and insurance providers must do more in this regard and must try to help the families of the students because the students' focus should solely be on furthering their careers. They should be able to fully invest themselves in that and not be worried about issues at home and at the dinner table. This is a hard and difficult time for everybody.

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