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indeed commit to reducing the student contribution in a financially sustainable manner over the lifetime of the Government. As part of the cost-of-living packages over the last three budgets the student contribution was reduced by €1,000 per annum on a temporary basis … cost of circa €99 million per annum. These measures were in response to particular cost-of-living challenges arising at the time and were not intended to be a permanent solution. It is worth extrapolating the figures in totality. A €1,000 reduction of the type

television service providers are all hiking their prices mid-contract. It is absolutely relentless. The Taoiseach has said there will be no cost-of-living package in this year's budget. The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, has said he supports him in that. Surely to God the Minister understands … pressure ordinary people are under. He needs to revisit the idea of bringing forward a cost-of-living package to address the crippling costs people the length and breadth of this State are facing

subjected to a means-tested payment. Often both of them are excluded from many of the very important cost-saving and cost-of-living measures we put in place because they are not entitled to a contributory pension by virtue of not having enough stamps. It is just … other side of their retirement, they do not get any social welfare payment, are not entitled to any of the cost-of-living top-ups and often fall foul of others. In some of those schemes, like the CIÉ pension scheme, for example, we have

have with those we serve across the length and breadth of our country. This, of course, is most manifest in the cost of living and the impact that increased bills is having on very many at the moment. In terms of what the Government is currently doing … relation to this, we have to look at what we can do to prevent the impact of the cost of living on households and businesses and at the support we can make available in the future. What we are already doing, for example, includes the measures that

barriers in the way of people. Students are dropping out not only because of fees but also because of financial hardship. The cost-of-living impact on families is clearly a factor. There are also the costs of accommodation and travel, stress and mental health pressure

Simon Harris, and there have been two other Ministers with this portfolio since and nothing has been done. We have an ongoing cost-of-living crisis in the State and yet, hard-pressed parents are asked to shell out for student contributions to try to give their children

student accommodation on young people's mental health is huge. I am also acutely aware of the wider accommodation crisis and the cost of living for families. We see electricity bills and every other bill going up. The impact of having to look for student accommodation

available OGP procurement frameworks and getting best value for money for all school expenditure. In addition to these grants, €45 million in cost-of-living supports issued in November 2024 to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education system. This additional funding announced

whole range of issues? This is the Government preparing itself for unpopular decisions that it will have to take on water charges, cost of living, the triple lock, militarisation but today and next Wednesday, instead of Taoiseach’s questions, we will have Michael Lowry questioning the Taoiseach. Michael

prices are crippling ordinary people, business owners and even schools right across this State. At a time when people are enduring a cost-of-living crisis and undue financial burdens in a plethora of other areas, our regularly scheduled energy cannot break a person's back. In this

available OGP procurement frameworks, and getting best value for money for all school expenditure. In addition to these grants, €45 million of cost-of-living supports issued in November 2024 to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme. I am running

know. Therefore, the responsibility is then placed on parents through voluntary contributions and school fundraisers, which are becoming increasingly difficult as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite. The Minister of State responded earlier that there will be an increase in the capitation grant rate in September

Swords and the ongoing support the Department of Education is providing. In addition to the grants I mentioned, €45 million in cost-of-living supports issued in November 2024 to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme. This additional funding announced

cost-of-living crisis has not gone away; far from it. Workers and families are still finding it very difficult to make ends meet. People face extortionate bills and prices right across the board and for many, it is never-ending. It is runaway rents, childcare fees that

tape, build more houses and ensure that rural families can build in their own communities. Supporting working families is essential. The cost of living is putting people under pressure and we must ease that burden, whether through lower childcare costs, better healthcare access or tax relief for those

insult to their memory but it is an even bigger insult to ordinary people who are struggling every day with the cost of living. The Government is going to blame Cork City Council, the OPW, the National Gallery, RTÉ and the Arts Council, but the buck stops with

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael do not bring that same urgency when dealing with housing, access to healthcare or the cost of living. It has never been more important for Ireland to protect and assert our long-standing neutrality fully intact. The meeting with the US President presents

savers. Financial institutions on the Government’s watch have lumped workers and families with extortionate interest rates in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. Ireland, if the Taoiseach does not know, has among the highest interest rates in the European Union. This has been going

fairness in pay and recognition? Workers are leaving these services in their droves because they cannot survive. With the continuing cost-of-living crisis, they are struggling financially. We need to see real, tangible support for our section 39 workers, who provide essential services to the most vulnerable

Ceann Comhairle. According to media reports, the Government will not allocate energy credits this year in the coming budget, thereby ending the cost-of-living supports package. The energy providers are introducing increases of 31 cent per day, according to SSE, or €113 per year. While the Government

been restored, pensioners have had their income frozen for over 16 years. This is leaving pensioners out of pocket following an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis. Independent actuarial analysis carried out by Willis Towers Watson found that the CIÉ pension scheme can award increases without impacting

idea of whether they will come back. Young people and young teachers are leaving Ireland for many reasons, including housing, the cost of living, healthcare and pay and conditions. I am genuinely concerned about the education system because of that. These are problems that can be fixed

college and attend medical appointments by making public transport more expensive for them, Ordinary workers and families in the middle of this cost-of-living crisis can barely afford to make ends meet. They should not be forced to bear the burden of the decades of Government failures

meet the growing demand for their services. The challenges families face have become more complex and widespread, especially with the ongoing cost-of-living pressures and the housing crisis. As a result, the demand for family resource centre services has surged, yet funding has not increased to reflect

national on a Stamp 2 is permitted to work from 20 hours to 30 hours per week given the rising cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14643/25