Third level education is important, but it is also costly. One of the costs is the student contribution charge, which increased considerably during the austerity period. It should be removed fully, which Sinn Féin has committed to doing. The current Taoiseach reduced the charge by €1,000 in recent years, but that reduction was temporary. We need to see it become a permanent reduction. Now that he is Taoiseach, will he commit to reducing it permanently and then getting rid of it?

My thanks to Deputy Farrell for raising this issue. She and I agree on the need to reduce the costs of going to college and barriers to education. As she said, we made progress on reducing fees, albeit on a cost-of-living and, therefore, temporary basis. Even as Taoiseach, any announcement in respect of these matters will be a matter for budget day, but I will revert to the Deputy.