University student loans and accommodation
Collins asked the Minister to extend loan facilities and encourage universities to provide on-campus accommodation for students from outside Dublin. The Minister noted that residential provision was not customary at most universities; Collins pressed the point, and the Ceann Comhairle said accommodation was outside the original question.
I wish the same would apply in universities. In view of the facilities available in teaching colleges, would the Minister consider extending the loan facilities and make some move in relation to accommodation to be provided by universities on campus for students attending universities?
Comment on this
The system there is a collegiate one as the Deputy knows. In one of the universities there are facilities for students living in but it has not been the tradition in other universities or colleges.
Comment on this
Would the Minister not agree that it would be a good initiative on his part to ask the universities to provide on campus residential accommodation for students who come from the country and find it very difficult and expensive to get accommodation in Dublin?
Comment on this
There is nothing in the question about accommodation. I allowed the Deputy a lot of latitude.