A local TD has called for the removal of obstacles that are preventing Irish students accessing State financial support towards their student fees.
In a question to the Taoiseach in the Dail this week, Cavan Monaghan Fianna Fail TD, Deputy Brendan Smith, highlighted how in the coming weeks, the Government will introduce the €1,000 State financial support towards student fees - a once-off payment that is not applicable to those studying in Northern Ireland, Britain or anywhere outside of the Republic of Ireland.
He said it was "wrong" and students should be encouraged to travel to study on a cross-border basis, particularly within the island of Ireland. Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government's effort to reduce student fees by €1,000 this year and €500 next September was an important one.
He added that he would speak to Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris about the matter but advised it was not "as straightforward as we would like".
