Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)

The Minister is welcome. He is the third custodian of this Department at Cabinet level since its formation. I wish him well in the years ahead.

There has been considerable innovation in recent years, including the creation of the technological universities which have worked very well. We now need to look at the future investment in those, including the borrowing framework for student accommodation within our technological universities. This is a very important commitment in the programme for Government, and I hope it will be fast-tracked.

There has been some correspondence with the Minister about the appointment of professors in technological universities. These universities have the opportunity to keep and employ the best minds in their sectors and perhaps even to have joint professorships with some universities.

Our universities do excellent work. They produce top-quality graduates, the foundation of our knowledge economy. Innovation hubs, such as the CÚRAM medical devices hub in Galway, add excellence to the economy across many fields. The contribution of the third level sector has been recognised by successive Governments. We have seen greater investment and we need more for buildings and laboratories which in some cases have antiquated equipment. The motion calls for an investment programme for equipment within laboratories and across our university sector.

A reduction in the student contribution fee forms part of the motion and is mentioned in the programme for Government. This is to make third level education more accessible.

Is there a case to be made for not including students' earnings during the summer period? In other words, allowing people to work as they need rather than it being a case of the number of hours they work pushing them over the limit. By working those extra hours, and if their parents may have earned a little more that year in overtime payments, the combination puts them over the limit, leading to stress, hassle and everything else. Is there a case to be made for abolishing the system of recognising the students' contribution? That would also be a win-win for businesses throughout the country that are looking for staff. I ask the Minister to engage and do some research on that issue.

My colleague Senator Scahill spoke here previously about transition year in schools. I know it is not the responsibility of the Minister present, but there is a connection to what can be done in transition year for the benefit of both the third level sector and apprenticeships.Perhaps it is worth exploring that with the Minister for Education and Youth and her Department. We have mentioned issues like safe pass training, health and safety, manual handling, driving lessons and driving theory. A collaboration between the two Departments on transition year could be considered. I ask the Minister to do so.