Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)

The Minister must be completely detached from the reality of the cost-of-living crisis if he thinks it is okay to heap €1,000 on students and families this September. The Barnardos cost-of-living report for 2025 found:

One in five families cut back on or went without heating (18%) and electricity (17%) over the past six months.

More than two in five families going without or cutting down on basic essentials such as heating, electricity, food and medical appointments.

One third of parents (32%) went into arrears on energy bills due to insufficient income.

19% of families had to cut back or go without food over the past six months.

40% of parents said they skipped meals or reduced portion size so their children would have enough to eat...

That is the Ireland of today. The Minister intends to heap €1,000 extra on families at a time when people cannot afford food for themselves, at a time when rents are going through the roof and when the Government is introducing measures to drive them even higher. It is complete detachment from reality. The Minister needs to recognise the financial burden on families. This €1,000 is transformational for people. It is literally the difference between having or not having a future at third level and everything that goes with that in terms of career opportunities and life opportunities. It makes that much of a difference. Those are decisions families are faced with thanks to the uncertainty that the Minister has inserted into this. He needs to be very clear, support the Sinn Féin motion and guarantee that student fees will reduce this year and not increase.

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