Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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60. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he plans to bring a proposal to Cabinet to reduce third-level fees as part of a sustainable funding model for higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6354/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I will shortly be bringing proposals for a future funding and reform framework to Government, in response to the report on future sustainability of further and higher education and also the review of the student grant scheme.

I am very clear that, from a policy perspective, addressing the sustainability of the higher education system must proceed in tandem with measures which address the costs of education as a barrier to accessing higher education.

There are different ways to address the costs of education. These could include lowering student contributions, changing rates and criteria for the student grant scheme or adjusting tax reliefs on education-relation expenditure. In considering the issues, I will be examining all the levers that are available to me and to the Government to address costs as a barrier to education.

I have already taken significant steps to support learners and their families through changes to the student grant scheme. I have increased the student grant by €200 for all SUSI recipients, increased the income thresholds and changed the adjacency thresholds.

I will continue to engage with my Government colleagues in relation to these issues, and in the context of budgetary discussions later in the year.