Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We welcome those changes but we really need to see them now. As the Minister will know, we are in extraordinary times with regard to the cost of living. The cost of living is having a severe impact on students and their families. That is why I am concerned that one thing is being delayed by the other. We need to bring in measures with regard to SUSI eligibility before the beginning of the next year. I am concerned about the students who are here right now, particularly students who have to travel because they either cannot get accommodation or afford accommodation and have to travel in their cars when we are seeing the price of fuel become unaffordable. This is really having an impact and we should treat this with the urgency it deserves in terms of providing support for students. It is in their interests, and all of our interests, for us to ensure that as many students as possible continue and are as successful in their studies as they can be.

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