Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Objectively, we are removing barriers. I am the first Minister with responsibility for higher education who has been able to stand here in 27 years and talk about fees coming down. That is what the budget did. We can have a legitimate debate about the pace of reduction and whether we can move faster, but let us not escape the context, which is that we have just delivered a budget which has reduced college fees. It is not on a once-off basis. It has permanently reduced college fees for any household earning less than €100,000. It has done double that this year in recognition of the cost-of-living crisis. The Deputy said it does not even compensate. All of the increases or reductions that we have provided are ahead of inflation or the increased prices that students are facing. When one looks at the budget in the round, there are further additional supports. For example, there has been a 50% reduction in public transport fees for students and young people. These are real, tangible measures. We have more to do. I regularly, intensively engage with students on this issue and I listen to and hear them. There are real cost-of-education challenges in this country. This budget takes a significant step forward. We have more to do in the months and years ahead.

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