Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will provide them in writing as well as the figure for the number of students who did not complete third level education. I have no evidence, nor did the HEA provide me with any, to suggest an increase in the drop-out rate. We will look at the figures for that.

In the context of the cost-of-living pressures that people are facing, which I fully accept is a real issue, it is important that students know we have a student assistance fund, which the Deputy has not acknowledged. It contains more money than ever before. Some €18.5 million is available to students who are struggling to make ends meet or who have been represented with exceptional bills they were not expecting. That is available in addition to the SUSI student grant scheme. Let us be clear, I want to improve the grants and drive down the cost of fees, and I intend to be the first Minister in a long time to do both.

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