He said more families will now qualify for student grants, as the income threshold for the SUSI student contribution grant rises to €120,000 - the "highest level ever".
Higher Education Minister and Kildare North Fianna Fáil TD James Lawless has questioned why some students are sleeping in their cars when so many supports are available.
He said more families will now qualify for student grants, as the income threshold for the SUSI student contribution grant rises to €120,000 - the "highest level ever".
He explained how around 30,000 students who live or travel away from home will also receive extra support. From September 2026, SUSI’s non-adjacent payment - for students living 30 kilometres or more from their college - will increase by €200 to €430, with a pro-rata rise taking effect this academic year.
Postgraduate students will also see an increase, with the SUSI fee contribution grant going up from €4,000 to €4,500, supported by a €1 million investment.
Deputy Lawless also reiterated his confidence in Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil Party Leader Micheál Martin.
When asked if anybody expressed opinions on the Taoiseach's leadership at a five-hour meeting last night, he said Kildare South TD Seán Ó Fearghaíl talked about taking a more democratic approach to decision-making, including more involvement from party members.
Speaking on Kildare Today, he said Ó Fearghaíl also said the party must be open to opinions from backbench TDs.
The former Ceann Comhairle said the party must “prepare for the future” ahead of January 2027 - when the rotation of Taoiseach is due to take place between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Deputy Lawless said he agrees that Fianna Fáil may need to widen the net to allow councillors and party members to also have a say in who should run as a presidential candidate in the future.
Meanwhile, Deputy Lawless would not say who he will be voting for in the upcoming presidential election - saying that’s between "him and the ballot box".
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