Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I definitely do not want give him a lame duck excuse on this so he should let me engage directly with the Minister. I acknowledge this is an issue the Deputy has brought up time and time again. Let me in the first instance engage with the Minister on this matter to see if there is a way of advancing it once and for all. I will revert to the Deputy on that. Obviously, there will be a cost-of-living package in the budget. It used to be the tradition the budget was announced on budget day - it used to even be more than a tradition. I certainly hope the cost-of-living package contains supports for students and parents. Going to college puts a cost on many parents, including in those families who do not necessarily qualify for a student grant. Reducing the fees is definitely a good way of trying to make progress.

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