Young people and students concerned by Brexit

Sinn Fein's Barry McElduff says young people here are concerned by the impact of Brexit on their future education.

The West Tyrone MLA believes June's leave vote has created massive confusion among students.

With some unsure whether or not they'll be able to study in the Republic of Ireland after the UK's exit from the EU.

Speaking to Q radio news earlier, the Stormont Education Committee chairman struck a defiant tone.

"[Brexit] is not a done deal - young people shouldn't give up on the notion of being members of the European Union. I believe Ireland's place, North and South is in the EU. And that is certainly the message I'm hearing from young people," he said.

The Sinn Fein assemblyman says there's real concerns over "student mobility" in a future outside of Europe.

"Young people, I believe, have a wider European identity," he said.

"So if you're thinking about student mobility: north, south, across the island of Ireland - the cost of accommodation, student fees, Erasmus and youth and teacher exchanges - these are all issues that young people are concerned about when it comes to them being dragged out of the European Union against their will," he added.

And now he says he's raised the issue with the two Stormont ministers responsible for education.

"I have raised this with Education Minister Peter Weir and have tabled questions with Minister for the Economy, Simon Hamilton, to detail the impact being dragged out of the EU would have on education. 

"The best way to allay the fears and concerns of students about the potential impact of leaving the EU is to make sure the vote to remain is respected."