I welcome the Taoiseach and the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Simon Harris. I very much welcome the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee that was announced in the budget. It is relevant for this academic year. On balance it is a good thing and is making a very positive difference downstream. Unfortunately, it is only relevant to students who are eligible for the free fees initiative. The Taoiseach may or may not be aware that there are two groups of students who are excluded from this scheme: those who are repeating an academic year and those who are doing a second degree such as graduate entry medical students. I would be grateful if the Taoiseach and the Minister could look into this to see if we can get these two cohorts of students into the scheme. It will make a huge difference to those affected.

I thank Deputy Berry for raising the initiative. This is the week that refunds have started flowing into students' accounts, which is the €1,000 refund. We will also see the bonus student grant payment on 16 December, and all student grants rising by between 10% and 14% from January.

I will look at the two specific groups the Deputy has referred to. I must point out that this is the first reduction in student fees in some 27 years. We will also have other measures, such as the student assistance fund, to assist the students in financial hardship. I will refer to the Deputy directly.