13. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science given the programme for Government commitment to "continue to reduce the Student Contribution Fee over the lifetime of the Government to ease the financial burden on students and families at the start of each academic year, in a financially sustainable manner", to outline his Department's plans to reduce the student contribution fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14569/25]

Sentiment score: 0.20

I ask what plans the Minister and his Department have to reduce the student contribution fee, given that the programme for Government commitment is to "continue to reduce the student contribution fee over the lifetime of the Government to ease the financial burden on students and families at the start of each academic year". I am quite concerned about the Minister's comments on 15 March this year, where he said that it may not be the best use of public moneys. I am aware that two other Deputies have also asked this.

Sentiment score: -0.08

When the SUSI grant is being made available, in terms of means, it is taking into account both parents and the individual. If a student has a part-time job outside of college, it is taking into account those means as well, so there is no encouragement there for a student to have a part-time job. I am quite concerned at the lack of communication between the Minister and the Tánaiste. On 11 November, the Tánaiste stated that a huge priority of his was to abolish student fees. Less than four months later, the Minister on 15 March stated that it is not the best use of public moneys. I would be quite concerned at that. I met with the USI, of which my colleague, Senator Laura Harmon, was a former president. There are serious issues with regard to housing. I will give the Minister an example. In Cork, we have purpose-built accommodation for 1,534. We have 38,000 students in Cork between UCC and MTU. The average rent for a house in Cork right now is more than €2,000. That is one example of what the Minister can tackle but I would be concerned at the wording from him and the Tánaiste.

Sentiment score: 0.01

The programme for Government.

Sentiment score: 0.00

I thank the Minister, and I appreciate that. The Minister has the opportunity to have the same impact the former Minister, Niamh Bhreathnach, had in 1995. He has that opportunity to make that same impact where, across all socioeconomic backgrounds, third level education was fully accessible because third level fees were abolished. The Minister could have that same impact the former Labour Party Minister, Niamh Bhreathnach, had. I am asking the Minister sincerely and I am absolutely willing to engage with him on this. It is about solutions ultimately. I hope the Minister is going to allow Deputies across the House to give him that opportunity, whether it is abolishing fees or perhaps looking into the means testing or increasing the threshold.

Sentiment score: 0.50