Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Rural Independent Group, I want to praise the students. My motto is mol an óige agus tiocfaidh siad. In that vein, I would like to welcome students from Skibbereen Community School who are in the Gallery with Deputy Michael Collins and other colleagues. Students, especially those from rural areas, are suffering greatly. Very little happened in the budget for them. We accept the payments announced. However, the travel and accommodation costs and tuition fees are having an impact on families. Those who are lucky to get SUSI grants have some help. However, there are those without help. Those in the squeezed middle are again being caught. They do not get allowances because their income is over the limit of the SUSI grant. Students need our support. They are the future of this country, and they have had to come out today and protest. The Tánaiste has been in government for 11 years. He is going to leave some legacy behind him. As I said, mol an óige agus tiocfaidh siad. The Government should support students and not just say that it hears the. The Government should do something positive for them because they are our future.

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