Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a welcome initiative. In the budget, the Government did much to focus on young people, including changes to the Student Universal Support Ireland grant for those going to college, free contraception for young women and this youth public transport card, which is offered at a substantially discounted rate. As we approach the next budget and budgetary discussions begin, should we look at extending this beyond the 19- to 23-year-old age cohort, as my colleague, Deputy O'Donnell, said? I would be interested to see if there is cause to extend this to renters who, as we all know, are struggling with the cost of living. Would the Government consider that as part of the budget for 2023?

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