Results 121-140 of 6,558 for speaker:James Lawless

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: Everybody under that threshold will get some support and many will get far more fulsome support. Sixty-five thousand students will get a full grant support from Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI. One hundred and forty-three thousand students will have their tuition fees paid by the State. Those thresholds go up, again and again. I intend to revisit all of those measures in October...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I acknowledge the Deputy's integrity and interest in this subject. We have had a number of discussions on it in the past. The Deputy commented in the previous debate. Indeed, Deputy McGettigan did also, in fairness. Both Deputies, as spokespersons for their respective parties, engaged in the process constructively and I welcome that. I would ask that we continue that engagement. When...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I appreciate that. It is worth putting on record some of the increases that are already kicking in for this September. The threshold for 100% payment of the student contribution grant - this is aside from SUSI maintenance grants, which are paid out to help with the living expenses of students - rises from €55,924 to €64,315. That means that 44,500 extra people will now...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I acknowledge that. We have heard talk in the past week about a scheduled increase and a plan and an increase and an announcement of increases. Let us be clear. We have had none of that. There has been a lot of hyperbole. Some of the Opposition leaders and others have hyped it up a little bit. I suggest they listen to the interview that I gave on RTÉ and maybe read the transcript....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I thank the Deputy for the question and for the earlier debate. It is going to be a long evening and we are both here for the duration, which is right and proper given it is such an important topic. I want to put on record again my commitment to easing the financial burden on students and families, and my commitment to reducing the cost of education in a way that is sustainable, and not...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I did not say that.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I reiterate what I have said already. No decisions have been made. There is a budgetary arithmetic that has been spelled out by me and others, including the Tánaiste, the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for public expenditure. It has been spelled out multiple times since that decision was made by the Government. That is the situation we find ourselves in, and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Third Level Fees (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: It is your party.

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: Absolutely.

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: Not all the parties.

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: Some more than others.

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: It fails to see its real role in our society and our economy. At its heart, my Department is a services Ministry, but it is also much more. It is an economic Ministry and an enabler of everything we want to do. The challenges we are facing, including global trade uncertainty, digital disruption, AI, the green transition and climate change, all demand we lead with the talent, science and...

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: We can laugh all we like but let us think about how this came about.

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: We have a duty to be upfront and honest with citizens and to deal in good faith.

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: We do not gain anything from avoiding those questions. Whether in a radio interview or anywhere else, I have always been straight with people. This is not a policy decision. Deputy O'Reilly can wave her fingers all she likes.

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: Ceann Comhairle, I am trying to speak. I did not interrupt you, Deputy O'Reilly. This is not a policy decision or a move to reallocate moneys. It is not a decision of any kind. It is not a decision at all.

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: This is a straight and sincere statement of budgetary challenges as we approach this year's budget. That is what it is, pure and simple.

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: The once-off measures, which were welcome-----

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: The once-off measures were welcome and were needed at the time but they were temporary in nature. I want to move the system onto permanent measures that are sustainable, costed, fair, equitable and baked into the system for evermore. That will be of far greater benefit to families, students and everybody in the system in the long run. Along with my colleagues across both parties and the...

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

James Lawless: I want to get away from the negativity and move towards the goal of a higher education system that achieves both excellence and access. Budget 2026 will move us a step forward towards that and build on the progress to date. Rather than scaremongering and whipping up anxiety, we should be clear with people about the supports that already exist. Households with incomes up to €115,000...