Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all know from people who approach us in our offices, that some miss out on the basis of what are sometimes very small amounts. We are talking about people that do not necessarily earn spectacular amounts of money, and who are under severe pressure. It would make a great difference to increase the number of those availing of a SUSI grant, or to provide an increased level of grant. I welcome the fact that 3,000 to 4,000 more students will qualify. What we have to deal with is the overall cost. As I outlined, in some cases financial struggles are stopping people from attending certain colleges and courses. Students are under severe pressure in travelling to the college. There has been an increase in the student hardship fund but many students who try to access it find it incredibly difficult. The overall issue relates to how we fund universities but also how we fund and facilitate families to enable their kids to go to college.

See this speech in context