Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I take the point about the devil being in the detail on the cost rental model and I am happy to further engage with the Deputy on that as we explore the matter with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I am genuinely excited about the prospect that this could be a new beginning for student accommodation.

On the issue of cost and affordability, I made the point that I have prioritised the additional funding my Department received into targeted supports in the first instance, such as student grants that had not been increased in more than a decade and income thresholds that had not been increased. It is now true, and is sometimes not said, that somebody with an income of more than €50,000 can qualify for student grants in this country. Around 45%, nearly half of students, access the free fees and are not subject to registration fees.

We have also abolished the levy to do a post-leaving certificate course in the last budget. We are implementing a number of measures. I accept the Deputy will argue that we need to go further and quicker, and I take that point. We have taken a number of significant steps to address the issue of affordability and ensure there is education for all in this country at third and, indeed, fourth level.

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