Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to be associated with the condolences to the ambassador and the people of the UK.

Student accommodation is crucial. We have three third level institutes in Limerick: the University of Limerick, TUS Limerick and Mary Immaculate College.I have received many calls from people not just in Limerick but throughout the country who cannot source student accommodation. The students' unions in the three third level institutes have started a campaign encouraging people to rent a room. That is something that has been suggested and I raised it myself. However, there is a fear among some of the older people in the community that it will affect their medical cards. Certainly I believe that the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, is on board. I have contacted him. He met with the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. However, I believe if the Minister for Health was to sign off on this it would be a win-win not only for students but for older people as well because it would help older people with the cost of living. As we can see everything is going up. In regard to students, it would also guarantee them a room. It would not be a full solution but it would go some way towards helping. We need to ask the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, if he will sign off on this because the suggestion is with him now.

The other issue is the National Transport Authority. Schools are back and a number of bus routes were removed. This is following up on Senator Crowe's theme. The National Transport Authority now needs to put pressure on Bus Éireann to restore some of these bus routes because many children are having an issue with getting to school. I am not even getting into the school passes because I know there was a Commencement matter on that earlier. It is a serious issue at this stage. People are having many problems getting children to school.

The last issue I wish to raise is the cost of living. We will have a debate here later on the energy crisis. We all have to put our shoulders to the wheel in coming up with overall solutions in regard to making things better for all families going forward.