Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)

I thank the Leas Cheann-Comhairle for her indulgence in accommodating my colleagues and me to contribute to the debate. We appreciate it very much.

I thank Sinn Féin for bringing this important Bill to the Dáil. I have been providing accommodation to students for many years. As recently as last night, I dealt with parents who frightened me with the amount of money they have to pay for their child's accommodation and the impact it is having on them. The rent is €350 a week. The difficulty is not just the amount of money parents have to pay but also the difficulty in securing suitable accommodation in a suitable place. It is a serious problem. That is clear when we do the sums. There are many parents who have two or three children going to college at the same time. They may require multiple accommodations in different locations. It is a real difficulty, especially for young couples. The story I heard from the young couple last night is very strongly in my mind. As a young mom and dad, they are under huge pressure trying to take care of the accommodation needs of their child who is going to college. We all want to see students getting a proper education. I am thinking of the Kerry students who have to go to Cork and Limerick for their higher education. Securing accommodation is a real and serious problem. I look to the Government and all Members to take that into account in every way possible.

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