Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming here today to discuss this all-important topic. I met recently with representatives from Young Carers Ireland. This is an issue that certainly impedes them. They are on social welfare and alongside their carer's payment, they are allowed to work 18.5 hours per week and study part-time. They are not entitled to the SUSI grant on the other side, however. They carry out very beneficial work in terms of caring, perhaps for vulnerable parents or siblings. To listen to them, it is certainly something that really impacts them.

Then, on the other hand, a widow with a young family got in touch with me. I know the same family spoke to the Minister when I hosted an online meeting to do with further education a couple of months ago. In this case, it is a young family in which the mother is widowed. The child in question is studying for a masters degree but because this person has mental health issues and autism, it has been suggested by the university that while this student is highly intelligent, a part-time course would suit them better. This student equally is not entitled to the SUSI grant. There is also the fact that, we will say, the student is not working either because all their time is given to study and achieving because this person is a very high achiever and wants to do well. This student is not working and yet cannot avail of the SUSI grant. The parent who is supporting this student is only working part-time. These are really just two examples as to what young people are facing in terms of SUSI.

I really believe that the SUSI grant should be reformed and I think it is something that maybe the Minister also supports in terms of changes that need to be made. If Covid-19 taught us anything, it is that so many people had to move to online. Speaking to both the young carers and this other family, certainly, they found it more difficult because they were online and then had no support with the pressure of having to pay their college fees. The young carers were literally using what they were getting in terms of caring to pay for their college course, and that is not right either. It is something about which I feel really strongly. There are many more people in this situation. I am just using these two examples to highlight the plight of what people are going through and the pressures they are under.

It is pressure enough when people are studying and have examinations coming up and especially if they are doing a masters degree or PhD. There is an awful lot of pressure and time commitment and then they have the pressure of knowing they must come up with their fees for college and different payments that are due at the other side. I look forward to hearing the Minister's response.