151. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he and his Department have considered not proceeding with the planned reduction in student contribution fees for the 2026-27 academic year, in light of the recent Government decision requiring Departments to absorb expenditure overruns within existing budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34357/26]

Sentiment score: 0.13

I appreciate that. The Minister will be acutely aware of the level of concern among families and students to the news that there is a possibility that the incremental decreases in student contribution fees will not go ahead. The Minister mentioned that this must be done in a financially sustainable way, which is something that is not spoken about perhaps in the media or by other spokespeople. The Department might be financially sustainable, but why should students or the Department cover the cost for other Departments that are not so financially sustainable? That is not good enough. It is not acceptable to students. I do not doubt the Minister's bona fides on this and I am sure he would love to be able to decrease the student fees or even get rid of them altogether. A financially sustainable way of decreasing fees should not mean students have to bear the brunt for the Department of education's overspending every year.

Sentiment score: 0.08

Is there a date on which that paper will be made available? Those costings will be very important to politicians in this Chamber but also extremely important to the very students who we profess to represent in this Chamber regarding to the amount they will have to pay for the coming academic year. I represent the students across this country and the important issue for them is that there was a commitment in the programme for Government to reduce the student contribution fees, albeit in a financially sustainable way, incrementally year on year during the Government's term. It is something I will absolutely call out as a spokesperson on education. An overspend within the Department of Education and Youth and an overspend across government as a whole should not have knock-on effect for the Department of further and higher education or for the very students we stand here and represent.

Sentiment score: 0.18

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire.

Sentiment score: 0.00