Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am very aware of the pressures affecting students arising from the cost of living and have taken a number of measures to address this.

In Budget 2023 I secured a package of cost of living supports which saw a significant reduction in the cost of college for third level students and their families.

For students starting their course this September, I have increased grant rates, with all maintenance grant rates increasing by at least 10%. Both the special rate of grant and Band 1, which apply to those with least means have increased by 14%. I was pleased to be able to effect these changes from 1^stJanuary this year.

I have taken measures to ensure that more undergraduate students than ever before will now be entitled to a form of support by-

• increasing the income threshold to qualify for the 50% Student Contribution Grant and
• introducing a new Student Contribution Grant of €500 for qualifying families on incomes between €62,000 and €100,000.

I have also increased the amount a student can earn outside of term time, without it counting as income for their grant, to €6,552, and I have enhanced postgraduate supports.

I am actively working to address the challenges faced by students in accessing affordable student accommodation. I have secured Government approval to develop both short and medium term policy responses to activate supply of affordable student accommodation. This policy has resulted in the State directly supporting the construction of over 1,100 new student accommodation units. In addition, my officials are continuing to assess a number of other projects with planning permission for delivery of additional supply.

In the immediate term, my Department supports the campaigns being run by higher education institutions to find accommodation in the private rental sector for students through the Rent a Room or “student digs” in family homes. Recent changes have extended the disregard of income earned under the Rent-a-Room relief to social welfare recipients and applicants under the Student Grant Scheme. The Government has also approved the extension of the disregard for both Medical Card Holders and Local Authority tenants and work is ongoing across the relevant Departments to progress the implementation of these changes. This scheme allows homeowners to earn up to €14,000 per annum in rental income before paying tax.

I will be publishing a cost of education options paper in the coming months which will set out options for further enhancement of student supports for consideration as part of the budgetary process.