Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Higher education has been in austerity mode since Fine Gael and the Labour Party came into power in 2011. This was continued by the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Government that followed. We now have a situation where public funding per student is 37% lower than it was in 2018, which is a lot. Over a decade of underfunding has led to a very high academic staff to student ratio by international standards. There has been a loss of focus on research and development. Our colleges are in free fall in the international rankings. This funding crisis has had a severe impact on wider society. Sinn Féin recognises the need to increase core funding and SUSI supports, about which Deputy Gould has spoken.

In government, Sinn Féin would abolish student fees on a phased basis, while ensuring the right level of investment is made to make our third level institutions fit for purpose. The Government's budget of 2022 included an increase in the student grant maintenance payment of €200 per year, which was welcomed. However, it was the first increase in ten years and has already been gobbled up by the cost-of-living crisis increases. The Government must go further to support our students and their struggling families.

Despite recognition in the SUSI review that rent is the biggest driver in cost-of-living increases, the Government is doing very little to ensure that students have access to affordable accommodation. Sinn Féin proposed a three-year rent freeze and a refundable tax credit that would put a month's rent back into the pockets of the struggling renters.

One only has to read a newspaper to know that we are experiencing a severe skills shortage. Trying to get an appointment for a doctor or a dentist in Kildare or Laois is impossible. I have people coming to me who have to go to Carlow for treatment. On Tuesday, I spoke in the House about the challenges faced by our local bus service. One might wonder why but these people need to be trained. The staff shortages can be seen throughout the health services and they are a direct result of successive governments' indifferent attitude to education. We are in the peak of a housing crisis and need a massive increase in the building of public homes. The best time to invest in necessary skills was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.

I visited Maynooth University recently. Every time I visit, there seems to be another building project ongoing. It is no wonder that it is Ireland's fastest growing university. I know our technical universities are multi-campus operations and I would love to see a satellite campus of Maynooth University in Newbridge or the Curragh that would cater for the needs of people in Kildare, Laois and Offaly.

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