Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Could I ask the Minister about funding to assist students as they cope with the cost-of-living crisis? In Carlow, we now have the South East Technological University and Carlow College. However, while students in the university can access Government supports to combat the cost-of-living crisis, those in the college cannot. Some third level students can receive funding for laptops under the assistance scheme but Carlow College students cannot access that scheme. The college loses out on mental health funding and other supports simply because it is not under the Higher Education Authority, HEA. Can the Minister tell me what engagement the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, has had with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the progress on including Carlow College under the HEA?

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