Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister coming to the House to speak to us on the opportunities and places at third level. He recently announced funding of more than €5 million for the further education and training, FET, sector. That is topping up funding he issued in April into the FET sector. Under his watch in this new Department we have seen a phenomenal focus on the opportunities under further education and apprenticeships. The development of the new technological universities throughout the country means third level qualifications and education and training are available in towns across Ireland, as well as in cities. It means education is more accessible. We need to consider this model because, for many students, the costs of going to college are high. They were high when I was a student. The cost of housing now is incredible.I also know the Minister has done much to try to ensure technological universities, TUs, are now able to apply for funding so they can start accommodation. In the University of Galway, I believe hundreds of new student units are now available this year. The Minister may wish to comment on that. Speaking as somebody from the west, the importance of access to education is not solely about the ability to offer courses. It is also about actually being able to go to college. We speak about the apprenticeship programme as a way to offer more flexible pathways. The Minister, Deputy Foley, was in this Chamber yesterday. She spoke about obviously-----