Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)

I raise the deeply concerning issue of student contribution fees. Freshers week across the country is wrapping up and students have started lectures, and yet families across Ireland are none the wiser as to what they will be paying in fees. The rumour mill around the Government's budget is that the decrease will only be €500. The confusion and concern about student contribution fees is unacceptable and was completely avoidable. There is a cost-of-living crisis and families and students are staring at a very long and cold winter. In the Social Democrats' alternative budget, which we are launching today, we have outlined the need to decrease the student contribution by the full €1,000, but also to increase the threshold for SUSI and to ensure more affordable options for student accommodation. The Minister's Government seems determined to make it more difficult for students to access and stay in third level education. Can the Minister confirm that his Government will at least reinstate a €1,000 reduction in student contributions permanently and finally give students and their families the opportunity to plan ahead financially?

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