Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My vision on this is really clear. I believe education is a public good and that people should have a right to access it regardless of their means. Free education in Ireland now starts at age two, with free preschool education, and goes right the way through. That should continue on through to an undergraduate degree. Some people will go to college full time, some part time and others will do a third level course online. People will not necessarily want to go straight from school to college. There needs to be flexibility. The idea of education as a public good that can be accessible regardless of means is really important. The student grant is increasing significantly from January. That is a direct recognition of the need to support people, including those most in need. I chose to increase the money from January rather than telling people they must wait until next September. We are bringing in postgraduate maintenance grants for the first time in more than a decade.

The Deputy is right that the cost of student accommodation is a huge burden on people. That is why I worked with the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, to ensure there was provision in the budget for the rent tax credit to be applicable to parents who are paying their child's rent. They can get that credit backdated for the past year. Parents with a child in digs in the third year of college can claim back €1,750. That will really help people.

See this speech in context