John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply and for taking this proposal, seeing the benefits of it and, as he stated at the outset, seeing it for what it is - a common-sense proposal that will benefit students and employers and help to assist in addressing the staff shortages we have in the economy at present.

I welcome that the Minister stated he will make this change but I stress again the importance of an early decision on this. We are now in the summer, and notwithstanding that it has no impact on the next academic year, 2022-2023, students look forward to the academic year of 2023-2024, on which this summer's earnings will have an impact.

Striking that balance is important. We cannot disrupt the education of full-time students but at the same time we must recognise that students should work during the summer. As a State, we should reward them for doing so and not put a penalty in place, in effect, for taking up employment.

I welcome the changes the Minister is to make and I stress the urgency of bringing them forward as early as possible.