Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There has been close engagement. I want to thank the HEA, SUSI, the Irish Universities Association, IUA, the Technological Higher Education Association, THEA, and the higher education institutions themselves for their assistance. We have had engagement with all of them and it is an important point because this is not money being taken from the colleges; it is the Government providing taxpayers' funds so the colleges can give that money back to students and their families. That process is in place. In addition to that, as the Deputy will be aware, we are paying a bonus student grant payment on 16 December. Any student in receipt of a SUSI grant will get their normal December payment. That is due on 16 December, and on the following day they will get a repeat bonus payment. For some students that will be worth over €600 in additional support. This is in recognition of the cost-of-living challenges that students and their families are facing.

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