Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will certainly work with the Deputy and others in the House on the issue. In terms of context, I think it is important to note that we live in a country where more than four out of ten students receive student grants and more than four out of ten students do not pay the €3,000 registration fee. I say that because I often worry that a secondary school student might be listening to the debate and wondering if he or she can go to college. It is important to note that around 42% of students receive financial assistance in respect of the registration fee. We have taken other measures that benefit students. One of the most significant measures was introduced by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, namely, the reduction in public transport fares. While there is a reduction for the population at large, there is a 50% reduction for people under the age of 24, many of whom will be students. We are definitely agreed that we need to do more and that budget 2023 will need to do more. I will certainly work with the Deputy in the House to do that, and to advocate across Government for it to happen.

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