An article this week revealed that at least 346 third level students reported being homeless in the last academic year. Student representatives believe that the figures are higher and describe this as being only the tip of the iceberg. The article was on thejournal.ie this week. As someone who has worked with homelessness, I have seen the demographics and face of homelessness change. Even though this article disturbed me, it was not surprising.

When most people think of homelessness, they have a picture of a person on cardboard with a sleeping bag and a cup. They do not picture a young person who is in the middle of their university degree and is now living in a car or having to quietly drop out of college because they cannot guarantee somewhere affordable to live. It is hidden homelessness, and it is growing. I see that through our homeless cafe, the Lighthouse. Education has always been a way out of poverty. It is one of the greatest routes that I have seen to transform lives, but what chance does a student have it they are finding it difficult to know where they are going to sleep at night?

At Tiglin, we have seen countless people turn their lives around through stable accommodation, and we have supported many people into further education and employment. We have a wonderful initiative that is funded through the South East Technological University, SETU.

For the past year, I have spoken in this House about the shortage of student accommodation and it is no longer a higher education issue. It is a homelessness issue. It places enormous pressure on the private rental market, and it is pushing vulnerable students into insecure living arrangements. One of my colleagues recently talked in this House about sex for rent, etc.

If we genuinely believe in equality of opportunity for our students, we need to make sure that we do not accept this. Every student deserves the chance to learn, flourish and fulfil his or her potential. Students should not spend their college years worried about where they are going to sleep at night.