Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in wishing the President-elect, Mr. Trump, best wishes in office. It has come as a bit of a surprise to the majority of us, similar to the Brexit vote. Perhaps there is a message for all of us that a large cohort of people feel disenfranchised and disconnected from the general populous. We would be foolish to ignore this and I address that remark to all politicians. To coin a phrase, we are where we are and we have to get on with it and respect the wishes of the American people.

Will the Leader bring to the attention of the Minister for Education and Skills an issue that has arisen in respect of SUSI grants, particularly for applicants who live independently? The general consensus is SUSI is working well and I compliment the staff. However, an issue has arisen for those who live independently and who do not meet the tight criteria SUSI applies. An example is a person on the rent-a-room scheme or someone who is renting an apartment and in receipt of a rent reduction for whatever reason. They do not seem to meet the black and white criteria of SUSI. It is disappointing that this barrier should exist at a time we are trying to encourage as many people as possible into further education. Will the Leader bring this anomaly to the attention of the Minister for Education and Skills in order that it can be addressed as a matter of urgency?