Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the overview. It will be a different experience for people returning to college. We know from the USI's mental health survey before the pandemic that 38% of students were already anxious, with 29% experiencing depression and one third having a formal diagnosis of mental health difficulties. That was before the pandemic. When the pandemic, the remote experience and the return to college are laid on top of that, an additional mental health challenge is placed ahead of colleges, students and their families. It is important that support is provided and is there from the beginning. It probably needs to have been started already rather than waiting for people to return to campus. People need a clear message about when they will be returning to campus and whether it will be blended learning. Accommodation is a significant issue. We need to look at how accommodation is prioritised for first years. The people who are now going into second year will be at a loose end.

See this speech in context