Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)

Tá áthas orm labhairt mar chuid de na ráitis ar an ardoideachas sa Teach inniu. Guím gach rath ar an Aire, an Teachta Lawless, agus an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Harkin, ina róil nua. I truly believe that education is the most powerful and liberating tool at our disposal when it comes to lifting people from economic poverty, but also the poverty of the imagination that afflicts so much of our world. I acknowledge the role our secondary schools play in preparing students for higher level education. In my constituency we have the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, LOETB, which provides a fantastic range of courses and also equips and provides students with higher education courses. The education and training board is playing a fantastic role in its involvement in the national training campus at Mount Lucas. This is certainly positive in developing and promoting apprenticeships. It is, however, disappointing to see that over the last number of years LOETB has received the lowest level of funding in the State when it comes to youth services. I hope the youth funding will be increased for the LOETB, which has been the lowest in the country.

There are still issues around SUSI grants for students trying to access higher education. Many families in my constituency regularly contact me about the SUSI grants. Due to marginal increases in their household income they find their children are excluded. This is particularly the case when it comes to civil and public servants who had mandatory pay increases. Now that pay increase means their child is over the threshold for a SUSI grant. This needs to be corrected out of fairness. I have submitted a number of parliamentary questions on this very issue.

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