Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Not to upset the Deputy, but I think I agree with him on this. His suggestion makes logical sense. There is always a balance to be struck between the importance of encouraging full-time students to focus on their studies, the integrity of their education, etc., on the one hand, and the real world, on the other. In the real world, many people work in part-time jobs, perhaps doing a shift in a bar, in a supermarket or wherever at weekends. Many people probably need to do so, and I am conscious of that.

As the Deputy noted, we have made a number of changes. The main financial support to students is the student grant scheme known as SUSI, which is means tested. Under the scheme, holiday earnings, as they are called, that is, the income a student has earned outside of term time in the previous tax year, can be deducted from the total income assessed up to a maximum level. For students in the current academic year, the maximum level is €4,500, but I increased that in the budget for the next academic year to €6,552. From September, therefore, students will be able to earn €6,552 and disregard that from their SUSI application, up from €4,500.

The point the Deputy makes is a good one. We need to go further on this. In that context, I have asked my officials to prepare a paper for me in respect of it. The idea of regular weekend work, a core component of many students' lives, is something we should reflect. We have done it for the holiday time and increased the threshold, which I am pleased we did, but I would like to see us go further. As I have stated previously in the House, I will publish an options paper in advance of the budget. However, he Deputy can take it that making progress on this is issue high on my priority list.

See this speech in context