110. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will explain the rationale for the reported decision not to proceed with further reductions in the student contribution fee, in light of the commitment made in the programme for Government to reduce these fees over the lifetime of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37631/25]

Sentiment score: 0.22

I reiterate the worry and terror that the Minister's words have spread. I know he has mentioned the great stuff he is doing, but for these parents who are struggling and the students who are struggling to pay their own way through college, is there reassurance he can give to them? I understand that he is tied by the budget of the Government, and he does not want to speak too soon. As Deputy O'Hara said there are multiple people who woke up in terror and are struggling at the moment with everything going on. There is another thing in that regard. We spoke earlier about students struggling with accommodation and we saw the students up here. Another thing that the Minister for housing is bringing in relates to the granny flats and cabins in the garden. The proposed rules are that they are just for direct family members. That should be changed so they can be for anyone to live in, which would benefit students who are struggling to find accommodation.

Sentiment score: -0.27

I understand the constraints the Minister is under when it comes to the budget, and he is not 100% aware of what will be in his Department. I go back to my other question. I was wondering if he would clarify his opinion. He will obviously be looking at students in this. The huge burden they have at the moment is accommodation, especially students who are coming to visit and to live in Dublin. The Department of housing is bringing in measures to allow cabins in gardens to be developed. Is the Minister of the opinion that there should not be a restriction that these cabins should only be for direct family members? For example, Mrs. O'Brien has a house and an area where she can put in a cabin. Why should she only be allowed to allow a direct family member to live there, when a student can travel from counties Meath, Galway or Cork to Dublin and avail of that accommodation? It makes complete sense. I do not understand why we allow it just for direct family members.

Sentiment score: 0.07