Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy raises an interesting point on the CRSS. This is well outside the remit of my Department but I will raise it with my colleague, the Minister for Finance, and will revert to the Deputy on this issue. My understanding is that businesses which cannot continue to operate or operate at restrictive levels can avail of this support. It is a fair point to ask if these landlords fit into that category. I will check that and revert to the Deputy.

What I have been focusing in trying to do is to pull the levers that I have directly within my control - I will not go through all of them again - such as the financial support scheme, the student assistance fund, the mental health support and the educational disadvantage fund. We have taken up as many different proactive ways as we can to try to support students. We have taken very specific action on campus and university-owned accommodation. I accept that there is a group of students in respect of private accommodation where I have been honest with the House as to my legal powers. I have made it very clear what I would like to see happen and I am engaging with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to see if anything further can happen.

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