Laura Harmon (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I intend to speak about housing and education. The Irish Council for International Students launched a new report on the rental sector this morning. It is from the perspective of the experience of international students. The report is stark in that it highlights the overcrowding in the sector, the significant costs involved and the level of scamming that is happening. The report indicates that three quarters of English language students are sharing rooms with more than one other person and that one third of students in higher education are doing the same. It also indicates that one in ten international students here encountered an accommodation scam during their time in Ireland but that only 14% of them reported this to the Garda. These figures are quite alarming.

It is clear from the report that there are many substandard properties in the rental market. The statistics in this regard might come as no surprise to people. Some 12% of respondents said they had no heating, 10% said they had no cooking facilities and 38% said they had no lease agreement. It is really important that we inform these people of their rights. Most worrying, however, is that 5% of female respondents said they had seen an advertisement for or were propositioned directly in the context of sex in exchange for rent. We do not have a law that specifically bans sex for rent. There is a commitment in the programme for Government, however, and the new Minister for Justice is looking at this issue with the Attorney General. I call for a debate on this matter. I will certainly be looking to speak to the Minister about it. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has committed to a new student housing strategy, specifically for student housing and purpose-built student accommodation, in the second quarter of this year. This is very welcome. I hope it will progress.

Hundreds of adult education tutors gathered in protest outside the Dáil earlier. Their message was clear. They feel the Government has failed them when it comes to the provision of fair and sustainable employment terms for the up to 3,000 of them working across the country. This is especially the case in light of recent statistics concerning the fact that adult literacy is declining. We need to value these tutors. Many are stuck in precarious contracts and their new pay scales do not do them any justice. This is an issue that needs to be solved. Adult education is the backbone of many of our communities, and these workers need to be supported. It was great to speak to some of the workers that were outside the Houses, particularly those from Cork, and hear about what they are facing. I call for a debate on this topic.