Results 1,581-1,600 of 5,148 for speaker:Mairéad Farrell

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: But it is significant.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: It does state in the briefing document that part of the additional cost has arisen because of changing demographics and an increase in retiree numbers. I am guessing that when it mentions changing demographics, it is referring to the demographics of the sector's workers. I imagine that the wider demographics would probably be more favourable, with the population rising. If it is the case...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I have a number of other questions in relation to pensions, but maybe I will leave that and perhaps we can get a note on that. The €1,000 reduction in fees might be a good place to start. People will obviously welcome a €1,000 reduction. We can all agree on that and it is fine. I think that most people, not just students and their families, would have anticipated that the...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I appreciate that.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: Why was the decision made to go for a once-off rather than a permanent reduction? There is obviously an impact on the cost. People are going through a cost-of-living crisis and we do not see an end to that in sight. Given people are doing forward planning about whether their children can access third level education why was a decision made, I suppose by the Ministers, to go for a once-off...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I understand, but this is part of it.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: When does the Minister of State see that happening?

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I thank the Minister of State. It is simply that people were very much expecting there was going to be a permanent reduction. I was taken by surprise on budget day when there was not. The other thing that took me by surprise that day was there was no mention of student accommodation in either of the Ministers' Budget Statements. I am acutely aware the Minister of State did not write those...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: However, people will look at the number of apprentices waiting for off-the-job training. The Minister of State mentioned €67 million, but how will it actually impact on this backlog? We are dealing with real people's lives as well-----

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: -----let us be frank about that. People have told me they completely feel they have been held back. My generation was impacted by the crash, so people were not as quick to go into craft apprenticeships at that time. There were people my age who were trying to move on with their lives, buy houses - which is nearly impossible under this Government - and also looking at trying to start...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: How is that going to practically work though?

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: Does the Minister of State believe this will work?

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I will believe it when I see it. For the sake of those who are waiting, I hope it will be dealt with. It is shocking that it is at this stage, especially given where we are in our housing crisis. I do not need to remind the Minister of State of the thousands of people who are homeless. I wish to touch on student accommodation, which the Minister of State mentioned. One of the key...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: I refer to the €434 million.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: My question is specifically about the €434 million that was announced. From what I know, there is very little detail on it. I am sure the Minister of State has the detail.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: The amount that was announced by the Ministers, Deputies Harris and O’Brien.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: No. “Ministers Harris and O’Brien welcome more than €400 million investment in student accommodation” from 26 October 2023. It seems there are many announcements but we need to see what the story is with the actual money.

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: When does the Minister of State expect that strategy to be done? When does he expect the €400 million to be accessed? To be fair, the way it was announced, one would think it was immediately becoming available. I remember there seemed to be quite a bit of shock across the sector because people were not aware of it. You are giving hope to students as well when you are announcing...

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: Does the Minister of State expect them to immediately have access? Will it have impact by next September?

Select Committee on Education and Skills: Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Mairéad Farrell: To be honest, I sometimes worry a little bit about announcements when they give this kind of hope to people, which I think this one did. Sometimes in this Department I see figures being announced repeatedly and I am shocked by it. My role previously was in public expenditure and reform. When somebody suddenly has €40 million in June, I wonder whether it was announced previously or...