James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

Everything comes out of people's pockets because State resources are taxpayers' money and we all have to have respect for and be judicious in how we spend them. I am always very careful how I spend taxpayers' money which comes out of their hard-earned pay packets. It is important that we do this in a way that is socially just, progressive and targeted, and gets the most support to those who need it the most. I hope the Deputy agrees with me on that because it is a fundamental principle. If she does not, I would be interested in knowing why.

Third level education is my remit and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and others can talk about the other systems. Spending €628 million on fees alone is a significant annual support. There are other initiatives. I cannot speak to previous budgets because I was not a Minister or part of those Governments, but cost-of-living supports were provided at difficult times through Ukraine, Covid and the cost-of-living crisis, and that made sense at the time. We are now into a different dynamic. I was keen to do something that was permanent, costed, sustainable and within the baseline of my Department. That means it is there to stay and the uncertainty and anxiety of will-they-won't-they every summer is gone. There is a €500 permanent cut there to stay.

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