The programme for Government states we should use the strengthening economy to become a leader in the provision of world class education and skills. Last week the Union of Students in Ireland made a pre-budget submission. Members of my local branch, Carlow IT Students Union, recently contacted my office to highlight some of the major issues facing students. They spoke about the importance of the SUSI maintenance grant in assisting many students in meeting day-to-day costs of third level education. Despite a significant increase in the cost of living, the SUSI maintenance grant has not been increased since 2012. It is also unfair that students are being penalised for earnings from part-time work. Will the Tánaiste investigate the possibility of raising the threshold for the grants scheme ahead of budget 2020? Will he also look at excluding seasonal work from the evaluation of student income in assessing entitlement to the grant?

While they are valid issues, they are matters to be considered in the context of the budget.