I wish to raise a very important matter and request an update from the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy James Lawless, regarding the future of student contribution fees and the Government's stated commitment to reducing and ultimately abolishing these fees over the lifetime of this Government. In our committee meeting last week, I proposed that following on from the permanent measures taken to reduce the student fees in budget 2026 we continue to reduce the fees in budget 2027, as promised in the programme for Government. Over the past few days I have not been happy with the Minister's statements and comments about this. In my book, it was just scaremongering for students, the public and families. I call for reassurance for the families across the country who are planning now for the year ahead. For many of them, the reductions introduced in budget 2026 made a real and tangible difference but these families need certainty again. They need to know that the progress made to date will be extended and that budget 2027 will continue to lower the cost of accessing higher education.

I will highlight a group that is often overlooked in all debates; Ireland's working families. Some 30% of these households do not qualify for Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grants. They do not receive maintenance supports and are paying full price for student accommodation, often at levels that are simply unsustainable. They are doing everything asked of them. They are working, paying their taxes and trying to give their children the opportunity to attend third level education. It is a bill they must plan for and save for. A continued reduction in this fee would give them stability and predictability. It would send a clear message to these families and to students that they are not forgotten and that access to a higher education should not depend on whether a family is just above or below the threshold. I therefore call on the Minister to come to this House and reaffirm the Government's commitment to further reducing these student fees in the coming budget, and indeed budgets, and to outline a roadmap towards the permanent abolition of them. This is the moment to give working families confidence that the cost of education will move in one direction only, and that is downwards, and that their children's futures will not be limited by financial pressures.