Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has rightly highlighted the work that remains to be done in reducing the cost of education. The Government that we are a part of - my party, the Deputy's and the Green Party - is the first to reduce college fees in about 27 years. It is a first step and it is not the only step we intend to take together. It has to be seen in the round. There is a reduction in the €1,000 fee, which is once-off. There is a permanent reduction of €500 from next year and an increase in the postgraduate supports so that more students who access SUSI as postgraduates will get a higher amount of support. There is an increased stipend for PhD students, which is a once-off payment, and in 2023 there will be an extra SUSI payment on 16 December. There will be increases in student grants by 10% to 14% from January. However, the Deputy is right, particularly on part-time students. One of the priorities for the Department and me for 2023 is to see how we begin to define part-time students and the criteria, particularly for SUSI. I accept that there is more to be done and the Deputy has given me a useful to-do list to be working on.

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