Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the issue of cost, there are a number of ways the Government can help with the cost of rent, specifically for students. Last year, the Deputy will be aware that we got the finance Bill changed to make sure students could avail of the rent tax credit, including if they were renting a room or digs, and that their parents could avail of it if they were renting college-owned accommodation or purpose-built student accommodation. I heard the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, talking about wanting to increase the rent tax credit. If that increases in the budget, as I think it should, it must also increase for students and their parents to be able to avail of it. I think we should see a doubling of it.

We can also help people with the costs through grants. This year, for the first time in a very long time, student grants increased above the rate of inflation. While there are inflationary pressures, we have increased grants above by more than inflation. We also gave students €1,000 back in reduced registration fees.

I will be looking at different ways we can help students with the cost of rent and education between now and the budget on 10 October. We also need to increase supply. We need to do both. That is why we are now rolling up our sleeves and investing taxpayers' money in building student accommodation, not just leaving it to the market any more or to universities of their own volition.

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