Brian Stanley presses government over student fees and Budget 2026
Brian Stanley raised concerns about student finances and criticised the government's framing of fee changes as a once-off measure, warning that students may defer degrees or study abroad. He said the issue must be addressed through Budget 2026 and that the government should engage with the relevant minister on student contribution fees.
Brian Stanley told the chamber that "it has been a bad couple of weeks for" students and challenged the framing of recent fee changes as a once-off measure. He referenced the programme commitment to continue reducing student contribution fees over the lifetime of the Government to ease the financial burden on students and families.
He cited claims from the USI that a number of students will defer degrees or study abroad because of the fees, and warned the debate has returned to concerns about a €3,000 contribution. The point was framed as a matter affecting access to higher education and student finances.
The minister replied that the issue is a matter for Budget 2026 and said the government will engage with the relevant minister in that context. The minister emphasised that measures and priorities will be reflected in budgetary discussions and that parameters will be set in July to show what is possible for 2026.
The exchange included procedural interventions on speaking time, with the Deputy told he was out of order and the minister closing the response. The item was positioned as one of many priorities to be considered ahead of Budget 2026.
Issue raised
Brian Stanley told the chamber that "it has been a bad couple of weeks for" students and challenged the framing of recent fee changes as a once-off measure. He referenced the programme commitment to continue reducing student contribution fees over the lifetime of the Government to ease the financial burden on students and families.
Student impact cited
He cited claims from the USI that a number of students will defer degrees or study abroad because of the fees, and warned the debate has returned to concerns about a €3,000 contribution. The point was framed as a matter affecting access to higher education and student finances.
Government response
The minister replied that the issue is a matter for Budget 2026 and said the government will engage with the relevant minister in that context. The minister emphasised that measures and priorities will be reflected in budgetary discussions and that parameters will be set in July to show what is possible for 2026.
Parliamentary procedure
The exchange included procedural interventions on speaking time, with the Deputy told he was out of order and the minister closing the response. The item was positioned as one of many priorities to be considered ahead of Budget 2026.
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Transcript
Minister Brian Stanley. The issue I want to raise is the issue of students, it has been a bad couple of weeks for them, and I have heard your earlier answers, I have listened carefully to them, and you said that you have framed it in the context of a once-off measure, as has Minister Laudis, what you said in your programme was that the Government will continue to reduce student contribution fees over the lifetime of the Government to ease the financial burden on students and families at the start of each academic year, not some academic years. I know some of the Government TDs are jumping down now as well, but we need some real discussion here about this, because the USI are saying the number of students will be deferring degrees as a result of this, or even a study abroad. So we are back to the €3,000 again. I have the question, just bear with me now for a minute, the rest of them have good latitude here. They did not. I will have you know when your time is actually up. Thank you, Minister, if you would respond, it is the same question. Deputy, you are way over your time and you did not ask the question as prepared. It was just an election for last year, or are you going to turn this around and do the right thing? Yes, everybody else is entitled to fair time and everybody has got fair time, so the Deputy is out of order. Minister. I thank you for raising this issue. As I know many others have raised it today. As I have said to others, this is a matter for Budget 2026. We will engage with Minister Lawless in that context. All measures and priorities are reflected in the budgetary discussions that Government will undertake in advance of budget 2026 and the same applies to the issue you have raised as indeed many of the other priorities which are reflected across this house and it is within the parameters that we will set in July, we will set out what is possible for 2026 and that is how government will proceed over the next period of weeks. Jen Cummins, your question time is over.