Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Technological University of the Shannon opened a learning gate today. One might ask what a learning gate is. I learned this morning that it is a place where students can come and study. Ballinasloe Area Community Development hosts a place for start-ups, enterprise and companies but it also has meeting room space and this is where students will now be able to come and learn, meet with other students or carry out research for the college they are attending. This is the first of 11 that will be opened by the Technological University of the Shannon. It is even opening one in Dublin. It means there will be additional support for students. I am delighted to see it because it again shows that there is third-level access in the Ballinasloe region and how we are developing these links with our third-level institutions which are driving excellence in the regions.

As has been noted, there has been very good news on the education front, particularly further and higher education. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science indicated that the extra SUSI payment for third-level students will be on 16 December. We also know that €1,000 has been taken off the student contribution fee so this will be a real boost for families and those who have paid in full. I think they will have to submit their account details by mid-November. For those who have not paid in full, it will be taken off their second payment. This is really positive news for students and their families coming up to Christmas.