Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)

There is a twofold decision coming from the Minister's Department and the Department of housing that offers no support, no protection and no hope to these young people. It is shocking that the Minister has decided to charge students more money for their college education while they are already struggling through this continuous cost-of-living crisis. The Government has shown it is completely out of touch with the pressures ordinary students and their families are facing.

A report that will be launched soon by Gearóid Folan of TUS midwest contains shocking statistics. Some 41.5% of students live with their parents, which puts additional strains on households. Some 0.4% of students are in homeless accommodation. While that may be a small figure, no student should ever have to be in a situation where they are not properly housed. Similarly, 1.7% of students are couchsurfing. How is the Minister going to put things to rights?

See this speech in context