Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy said, he was successful last year in highlighting the issue of holiday earnings. We heard him and other colleagues and acted on that because it was a sensible step to take. I do not want students to be looking at their payslips and worrying that, if they work, within reason, an additional shift at the weekend in a local bar, hotel or supermarket, it will push them out of financial support, to the point where they might decide it is not worth their while continuing with their studies, or that they cannot take the job, at a time when we have shortages especially, but not exclusively, in the hospitality sector.

This is something I am looking at. We have made the change from under €5,000 to more than €6,500, but I would like to go further. The Deputy's suggestion in this regard is reasonable and sensible. In preparing for the Estimates, I will see whether we can build on the progress we have made.

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