Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As a Deputy representing Limerick, I am proud of the universities there. The University of Limerick, UL, and Limerick Institute of Technology have brought many fine students to many companies in Ireland and around the world. Every university is in crisis due to the lack of accommodation for students. UL currently has 2,900 bed spaces on campus on a 350 acre site. There is ample capacity on the site for a possible four more villages. The campus accommodation is ideal because it is monitored 24 hours a day and there is security and support. However, there must be joined-up thinking in all Departments for universities such as UL to move forward. There must be a multi-agency approach to funding to tackle the issue, such as having additional modular accommodation, which is relatively less expensive. Putting the jigsaw together cannot be dropped at the door of just the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; the Departments of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Transport must come together and there must be full engagement with stakeholders.

Accommodation should not be a barrier in Limerick. It is fixable. There are currently 17,500 students in UL. That leaves a shortfall of accommodation for 14,600 students. If one takes out the students who have access to public transport, that leaves about 9,000 students who either have to drive or be dropped off at the campus. There has to be joined-up thinking. It cannot just be dropped at the Minister's door. It is an issue of transport and housing. All Departments need to work together to get a solution for the students in this country. I am the father of four boys. My third lad, Niall, has just graduated from Coláiste Chiaráin in Croom. I have one left who is 14 and the jury is still out on him. We have to make third level education achievable for those who want to get there, so that they can get the best possible education in future. I am thankful for all that education has provided for my family and look forward to what it can introduce in the future.

I welcome everything brings for those in second level who want to go on to apprenticeships. Third level education is not for everyone, but I welcome and embrace it for those who want to go to it. I applaud those in second level education who want to go to apprenticeships or different models. Everyone in this country is needed. We all have a place in this world. Once we all work together, I am happy with that.

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