Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I hope the Seanad continues because it is a very important institution.

The Leader should ask the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, to attend the House for questions about SUSI. I have to declare an interest in that it concerns a godson of mine, but not a relation. On 19 November, he received a letter from SUSI granting him full fees in Queen's University in Belfast. Yesterday, he received a letter from Queen's University saying:

In accordance with general regulations of all university courses, I am writing to inform you that you have been suspended from the university. The suspension will apply until the outstanding balance of tuition fees and/or charges have been paid in full. The suspension means that you will not be eligible to enrol or graduate. The university reserves the right to withhold a degree, certificate or transcript from any student who is in debt to the university.

The letter is signed by Ms Orla Russell, income and student finance accounts. This is the legacy and commitment of the Minister, Deputy Quinn. He should sort this problem out with SUSI and the VEC because it is absolutely unacceptable. I have cited this letter to a constituent who is my godson, and he is devastated. One can only imagine what is it like to be suspended from a university. He was doing his course and concentrating on his studies, so this should not have happened.

I am not making an issue of this but simply intend to appeal to the Leader through his good offices and, on leaving this Chamber, I will communicate with the Minister immediately. As this letter is only from 10 December, I have not had much opportunity previously. Unfortunately, our jurisdiction-----