Mike Kennelly (Fine Gael)

I move:

That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges:

- the establishment of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science;

- our long established universities across the country;

- the establishment and commencement of technological universities;

- the multiple locations across regional Ireland that now have university campuses;

- the establishment and work of our Education and Training Boards nationwide;

- the importance of our high quality higher education system to producing graduates to fulfil our economic and societal needs;

notes:

- student accommodation delivered by universities and private developments, and that which is planned;

- the Programme for Government commitments to investing and growing apprenticeships, including in the construction, retrofitting and healthcare sectors;

- the reduction in the student contribution fee by €1,000 in each of two successive budgets;

- the increased investment in the Student Assistance Fund;

- that renters’ tax credit was extended to parents who pay for student children’s rent in the case of Rent-a-Room accommodation or ‘digs’, applied retrospectively back to 2022;

- that ‘digs’ and on-campus student developments reduce pressure on the rental sector in university towns;

- that accommodation shortages are causing students to travel long distances to University;

- for the purposes of SUSI in the period 2025-2026, the maximum deduction for holiday earnings is €8,424, having been previously €7,925;

calls on Government to:

- continue to reduce the student contribution fee during its lifetime;

- ensure additional capital funding for the third-level sector under the review of the National Development Plan;

- develop a borrowing framework for technological universities and provide clear routes to allow access to capital funding for accommodation and other initiatives;

- strengthen all-island collaborations and continue to support the North South Research Programme through the Shared Island Fund;

- increase the holiday earnings deduction for SUSI for students going forward;

- enact commitments in the Programme for Government to reform the CAO, introduce a single application process for apprenticeships and to deliver a five year apprenticeships plan;

- increase funding for research and continue to fund Taighde Éireann to boost competitiveness;

- identify and develop alternative routes into further education for the more practically minded student, particularly in roles that are in high demand;

- engage with the Department of Education to explore the possibilities of rolling out practical programmes during transition year, such as Safe Pass Training, Health and Safety, Manual Handling and Driving Lessons and Theory;

- fund an equipment renewal programme across Ireland’s further and higher education institutions and laboratories to ensure staff and students can undertake cutting edge research.

Today, Fine Gael Senators are proposing a motion on a matter of deep national importance, namely, the future of our third level education system. This sector is one of the greatest levers we have to lift opportunity, drive regional development and secure Ireland's economic strength in the long term. While we have made real progress, the time for complacency is long past. Now is the time for ambition, action and delivery.

We in Fine Gael are proud of the progress made to date. The creation of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science under our party leader, the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris, was transformative. For the first time we have a Department singularly focused on education beyond school, one that sees learners not just as students but as future leaders, innovators and builders of our economy. We have backed that with commitment and action such as successive reductions in the €1,000 in student contribution fees, expanded eligibility for SUSI grants, major investment in technological universities across the country, and a new accommodation building programme that is already under way. These are tangible steps that ease pressures on students and families. That speaks volumes, in particular at a time when inflation and cost-of-living issues bite hard, but progress is not the same as completion and this entire motion aligns squarely with the commitment in the programme for Government to build an innovation-driven economy to attract global investment and to ensure Ireland remains at the forefront of discovery and enterprise.

Today, we are tabling a motion for debate in this House, calling on the Government to continue to reduce the student contribution fee during the lifetime of this Government's term. The long-term goal must be clear: cost should never be a barrier to education in this country. As a country, our ambition must be to deliver an education system that is affordable, inclusive, forward-looking and globally competitive; a system that opens college doors not just for the privileged few and that responds flexibly to the needs of a changing world.

This motion is not just timely, it is urgent, as it reflects the daily reality of thousands of students and families who are grappling with financial pressures. We commend the €1,000 reductions in the student fees to date. These cuts were not just symbolic; for many families they were lifelines that made the difference between sending their son or daughter to college and facing financial hardship. This work must continue. Fine Gael wants to see these fees reduced even more, step by step, until no capable student is denied access to education on the basis of cost. This year alone, the reduction benefited 103,000 students and families. It is vital we reduce fees.

We also call on the Government to further increase the holiday earnings disregard for SUSI for students who do summer work. This is a practical step, one that recognises a time of world turmoil and rising costs of living. These students must work to support themselves just to stay in the college system. The current level of €8,424 is very welcome, but students deserve more flexibility to work more hours, not just for the summer but over the year, without losing financial support. That is not just about fairness, it is about preparing them for life and for work. My colleagues will speak on this very important issue, which aims to protect students and benefit local economies.

One of the most urgent issues we face is student accommodation. While we welcome the building programme that is under way, we all know that demand continues to outstrip supply. Too many students are commuting long hours or are being priced out of rental options altogether due to the lack of affordable accommodation. This is a barrier to accessing education in all our regions and cities. That is the reason this motion calls on the Government to provide additional capital funding under the review of the national development plan and to put in place a borrowing framework for technological universities to access finance for student housing and campus infrastructure. It is 2025 and newly established universities should not be operating with outdated financial tools.We have seen the commencement and advancement of technological universities throughout the country and I wish to highlight the real success story that is the Munster Technological University, MTU, specifically the Kerry campus in Tralee. Technological universities are the most radical reconfiguration of the Irish higher education system in generations. MTU has more than 3,500 students and has gone from a small regional institute to a national leader in education, innovation and regional development.

In 2024, Japanese company Astellas announced a €330 million investment in a new state-of-the-art facility at the Kerry Technology Park in Tralee, which marks a transformative milestone for the Kerry region. MTU and Astellas have a long-standing partnership and this new venture further strengthens their collaboration. The proximity of the new facility to MTU north campus will facilitate a seamless integration between academia and industry.

The construction phase of the facility will generate 600 construction jobs. Once operational, the facility will create in excess of 100 highly specialised roles in engineering, science and technology. These future roles in education will lead to immediate further college accommodation. Immediate supports from the Government will ease the burden on students who will have every opportunity to study and work in Kerry. I acknowledge the Government's funding approval for 1,065 beds for students in UL, Dublin City University, Maynooth University and the University of Galway, and the good news is all have planning permission to go ahead.

Another another core focus of the motion is to call on the Government to continue extending pathways into higher education. The traditional CAO model, while valuable, cannot be the only route. While we have made progress, there is still a critical gap in how young people access and understand their options after school. For too long, our systems have reinforced the perception that university is the only legitimate path, but we know this is not true and that system is no longer fit for purpose.

That is why in the motion we call on the Government to enact the clear commitments in the programme for Government to reform the CAO system, introduce a single unified application process for apprenticeships and deliver a comprehensive five-year national apprenticeship strategy. We want apprenticeships to be placed on an equal footing and made clearly visible and accessible to students who are practically minded and career focused. Whether it is construction, healthcare, IT or green skills, we need a five-year apprenticeship strategy that is outcome driven and properly resourced. That is what will help to solve our housing crisis, address our climate targets and deliver for industry. A single application portal, integrated alongside the CAO options, would ensure students could view all available options - university degrees, further education courses and apprenticeships - in one place. That transparency would shift the conversation, showing that apprenticeships are not a fallback but rather a first choice route for many with strong practical skills and a clear career focus. I call on the Government to ensure the five-year apprenticeship strategy is properly resourced, clearly communicated and delivered in close collaboration with employers and training providers. We need strong targets and accountability, with pathways that reflect the real needs of Ireland's economy in sectors like construction, climate technology, healthcare, digital services, advanced manufacturing and more. By doing this, we will not only tackle skills shortages but build a stronger and more resilient and inclusive workforce. It is a direct investment in our economic future and social mobility for thousands of young people who are looking for a chance to earn while they learn. This is not just about reforming education; it is about transforming opportunity. Let us modernise the system to reflect the talents of our young people. Let us remove artificial barriers, expand pathways and build in Ireland where every learner can find their path and fulfil their potential.

I refer to the establishment of Taighde Éireann, a turning point for Irish science and innovation. To compete globally, we must match ambition with funding. The project is being backed by €300 million of investment in research funding. Other countries, including the United States under President Trump's Administration, have pulled back on research spending.Ireland must go the other way. If we send the message that research is a national priority, we will not just retain our best minds; we will attract more global talent. That is a direct economic opportunity for this country.

This motion reflects the next stages of reforming higher and further education. The foundations are in place, the new institutions are open and the momentum is with us. Now, let us finish the job. Let us deliver an education system that is inclusive, future-proofed and grounded in the realities of student lives. From affordability to access, from apprenticeships to academic excellence, let us back our students, institutions and Ireland's future.