Could I ask the Minister of State about the changes to the SUSI thresholds, as per budget 2025? Could he provide an estimate for the additional number of students who will now qualify for the grant? That is the information we seek. We are all well aware that students are struggling with the cost of living and the cost of accommodation, as per the previous question. If more people can avail of SUSI grants, it will facilitate them to attend the college they want.

We are pleased to be in a position to increase all income threshold limits for student grants in budget 2025. From September 2025, we are increasing the special rate of maintenance threshold from €26,200 to €27,400 in line with social welfare increases. We are increasing all other maintenance and student contribution grant thresholds by 15%. We are also increasing the postgraduate fee contribution threshold and the part-time scheme threshold to match the new 100% student contribution threshold, which will now be €64,315.

By increasing income thresholds, including the €500 student contribution grant, from €100,000 to €115,000, it is estimated that approximately 3,000 to 4,000 students who previously did not qualify for student support may now be eligible for the first time. However, it is important to also point out that by making these improvements, approximately 41,000 existing students who are expected to be eligible for maintenance bands 2 to 4 or fee grants this year may also benefit from these measures. If their income has grown, the measure may mean they will not be disadvantaged next year by a lower rate, and if their income remains static, they may benefit by a higher rate.

This is the largest increase to maintenance thresholds since the creation of SUSI and underlines the Government's commitment to inclusion. This measure will ensure students in need of financial assistance are not disadvantaged by recent rising income growth. It will also ensure continued supports to students, including students who are under-represented in higher education.

We all know from people who approach us in our offices, that some miss out on the basis of what are sometimes very small amounts. We are talking about people that do not necessarily earn spectacular amounts of money, and who are under severe pressure. It would make a great difference to increase the number of those availing of a SUSI grant, or to provide an increased level of grant. I welcome the fact that 3,000 to 4,000 more students will qualify. What we have to deal with is the overall cost. As I outlined, in some cases financial struggles are stopping people from attending certain colleges and courses. Students are under severe pressure in travelling to the college. There has been an increase in the student hardship fund but many students who try to access it find it incredibly difficult. The overall issue relates to how we fund universities but also how we fund and facilitate families to enable their kids to go to college.

In addition to what I outlined in my previous contribution, we have also introduced a number of other measures to reduce the cost of education, including providing €9 million to increase the PhD stipend from €22,000 to €25,000 per annum. That will benefit approximately 3,000 postgraduates. As the House will be aware, we have a one-off reduction in the student contribution fee of €1,000, which will benefit an estimated 103,000 higher education students who are eligible for the free-fees initiative.

Some €10 million is being provided to the student assistance fund. There is a one-off increase in the postgraduate fee contribution, increasing from €4,000 to €5,000 per annum, which is estimated to benefit about 2,000 students. There is also a one-off 33% reduction in the student fee for 14,000 apprentices attending higher education institutions.

I welcome that information about those who will benefit. As I stated previously, there is a large number of people who still do not benefit and are under severe pressure. We have to deal with the whole issue right through from the cost of living to the huge cost of accommodation. At times some students are under pressure. The USI produced a survey showing that some students are having to skip meals. This is not anything that anybody in here wants to see. We need to make sure we have a system that does not leave kids or students in that set of circumstances. The student hardship fund has been increased but there are issues in respect of accessing it and only very small amounts are disbursed. This needs to be looked at. We need a bespoke solution for those who are under severe pressure and families that are under severe pressure.