Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Briefly, I want to support these amendments. When this loophole in the legislation was raised in the summer, a number of us questioned it. I opposed it. Assurances were given at that time that the legislation was being done quickly and it needed to go through, but that this would be looked at again when a new Bill on the residential sector was being brought forward later in the year. This is that Bill on which we were given those assurances. The argument was put forward that tuition and accommodation is sometimes sold as packages, especially to international students. I do not see any reason it must be sold as a package with full payment for accommodation upfront. I do not see why that is necessary or why that should be provided for. We have had some terrible exploitation of international students, especially last year, some of whom had been mis-sold accommodation and tuition packages in Ireland. They had been given the clear indication from some of the providers that they would have in-person tuition for the duration of the year, only for that to be cancelled at the last minute. The students had paid all their tuition and accommodation costs upfront.

That is grossly unfair exploitation and it should not be supported in any way through legislation. I ask that this be addressed urgently.

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