James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Yes. Certainly, if we look at the income distribution of the ESRI charts, it is hard to quantify it exactly. If we take the income distribution curve from the ESRI and we look at where fee supports fall and thresholds continue to increase, including this year in the new budget, 20% are falling outside of that.

This means that 80% of people receive either full or some form of fee support, which is significant. We can get Deputy Connolly more figures on this, because the point he made is valid. It is one that sometimes gets lost in the debate. In addition, I have attempted to target grant and other supports towards those who are in greatest need. All four SUSI bands for non-adjacent grants have increased this year. The maintenance grant levels have increased as have the thresholds. I have also put money into the fund for students with disabilities and allocated funding to support mental health.

We have already spoken about the student assistant fund measures. The key is to pursue a dual-track approach. We have continued to reduce fees and provide further fee supports, and we are also targeting moneys at people with disabilities and people on lower income levels and at the non-adjacent grants. Non-adjacent grants are for people who live further away and who also need assistance.