Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I 100% support the comments of Senator Seery Kearney in support of our Leader, my party colleague, Senator Doherty's comments on "Morning Ireland" earlier. They were well said.

I also wish to speak to the issue of third-level education. I would like a debate with the Minister, Deputy Harris, to discuss the future. There are many plans and there are many changes to come in respect of third-level education but the dramatic increase in the cost of living over recent years, and in the past 12 months in particular, is having a significant impact on students and their families. Students are unable to pay high rents and the reality is that, unless students from Longford go to the Technological University of the Shannon, TUS, in Athlone, they will have to travel a distance and pay rent. While I welcome the reduction in transport costs announced in the past week, the reality is that a significant number of students need a part-time job of at least ten to 20 hours a week if they are to afford to stay in college. We have probably the highest fees in the EU. Postgraduate students may receive a Student Universal Support Ireland grant but they do not receive the monthly maintenance grant, which is unfair. Those students need to be entitled to receive that as well. The cost of living in Ireland is too high. Many people make a decision to travel outside the country to undertake third-level education. It actually costs them less to get a university degree in another country rather than their own. I would like the Minister to come to the House. There are extremely positive changes coming from his Department and he is an excellent Minister. I would like him to come in to discuss the future plans for third-level education.