Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)

I thank the Minister for being here today for our debate on higher education. People often mention Nelson Mandela's comment that education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world. Ireland's progress is built on the foundation of education. In debating the tariffs situation recently, the Tánaiste stated that one of the main reasons US companies come to Ireland is our educational prowess. We must ensure the sector is well funded, accessible and forward thinking. Investment in education for the next generation of leaders is absolutely of the utmost importance. We must protect the situation for individuals who will shape policy, drive economic growth, lead communities and perhaps sit in this House. Without proper funding, we risk limiting the opportunities for the brightest minds to develop their potential. As I know personally, education can be the greatest equaliser. It is a force that empowers individuals and can transform lives. It offers hope where there once was despair, and opportunities where barriers once stood firm.

I highlight a programme that has embodied that very principle by offering educational pathways to those who have faced the darkness of addiction and homelessness. For almost a decade, since 2016, Tiglin, a charity I cofounded, has worked with Springboard and with SETU, which my colleague mentioned, through its faculty of lifelong learning. We have developed educational packages that provide service users with the skills and confidence necessary to reintegrate into society. These courses go way beyond academic learning to serve as stepping stones towards independent employment and a renewed sense of purpose. I went to the Tánaiste, who was then the Minister for higher education, to present my vision for creating an educational pathway for people accessing Tiglin's Lighthouse Homeless Café. Two of our participants were the Bobinac twins, of whom the Minister is aware. These guys had no formal education when they started. Last month, I attended their graduations at Dublin City University and Maynooth University, respectively, from their second masters degrees. This showed me that education is transformational.

In the past year, I have had 114 people from a cohort of homelessness and addiction doing our programme up to master's degree level. Today, the programme stands at a fork in the road, with its funding due to be cut off at the end of this year. Without renewal, we risk halting progress and opportunities for the people who need them most.A society is only as a strong as its commitment to inclusion. To turn away from this programme would mean turning our backs on the people striving to build a better future. I urge the Minister, who is a good Kildare man, to ensure this programme is funded into the future.

I welcome today's motion by my Fine Gael colleagues. I urge Senators to advocate for continued support in the higher education sector. It is not just about knowledge; it is about dignity, community and second chances.