I raise the deeply concerning issue of student contribution fees. Freshers week across the country is wrapping up and students have started lectures, and yet families across Ireland are none the wiser as to what they will be paying in fees. The rumour mill around the Government's budget is that the decrease will only be €500. The confusion and concern about student contribution fees is unacceptable and was completely avoidable. There is a cost-of-living crisis and families and students are staring at a very long and cold winter. In the Social Democrats' alternative budget, which we are launching today, we have outlined the need to decrease the student contribution by the full €1,000, but also to increase the threshold for SUSI and to ensure more affordable options for student accommodation. The Minister's Government seems determined to make it more difficult for students to access and stay in third level education. Can the Minister confirm that his Government will at least reinstate a €1,000 reduction in student contributions permanently and finally give students and their families the opportunity to plan ahead financially?

I thank the Deputy for her question. I cannot give her information in respect of the student contribution fees at present. However, an awful lot has been done in respect of facilitating students to gain access to third level and to get financial support. I know the threshold for SUSI grants has now increased to €115,000 per family. I note what the Deputy said about what is in the Social Democrats pre-budget submission. Obviously, issues in respect of the contribution fees will be considered in the context of the budget. I am not going to say, and nor do I know, whether there will be any announcement in the budget next week in respect of it. Certainly, though, significant measures have been put in place by the Government to try to facilitate persons at third level.