Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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2707. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action he will take to support middle-income families who are being unfairly squeezed in the current financial crisis, with student grant assessments based on gross income and limited supports, making it increasingly difficult for students to fund their college education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45288/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I am very much aware that cost of living challenges continue to impact students and their families, including those in the middle-income bracket who may fall just outside eligibility for traditional supports.

From this month all income thresholds for the SUSI scheme will increase by 15%, and the threshold for the special rate of grant will increase from €26,200 to €27,400 in line with Social Welfare increases. This is a direct response to income growth and inflation, and will bring more middle-income families into the eligibility criteria.

The holiday earnings exemption will also increase from €7925 to €8424 for the 25/26 academic year.

The part-time fee grant scheme, which came into effect for the first time last year, will also be expanded from this month with 109 part time courses available to this cohort of students which is a significant increase on last year's offering. This scheme opens the doors of higher education to many groups who cannot participate in full time programmes.

In Budget 2026 I will be advocating for further measures to support families in dealing with the cost of education, in line with Programme for Government commitments.