Parents of third-level students could be allowed to claim a €500 rent credit for accommodation for their children, according to Tanaiste Leo Varadkar.
Mr Varadkar told the Dail clarification on the matter will be given next week when Paschal Donohue publishes the Finance Bill.
He said the Minister for Finance is “examining whether it is possible” to extend the credit to parents who pay for their children’s accommodation while they are attending college.
READ MORE: Irish babygirl with six holes in her heart overcomes all odds in her fight for life
The news comes after thousands of students walked out of lecture halls at 11.11am on Thursday in protest of the cost-of-living and accommodation crises.
In a statement, the Union of Students in Ireland said: “Students left their classes and gathered with their local Students Unions officers on campuses to remind government and college authorities that students are not an endless money pit and to call for meaningful change in the way third-level education is funded.”
Commenting on the protest, USI President Beth O’Reilly said the union was not surprised by the turnout of thousands of students as they are aware of the depth of feeling on the issue.
They said: “The support for today’s Student Walkout is indicative of the number of students that are experiencing accommodation and financial problems across Ireland.
“It used to be a case that every student knew someone that was struggling, but now nearly every student is struggling themselves.
“Students needed to take this action today.
“We have been hearing how angry students are at the way they have been treated year after year, and today was an outlet for that anger.”
They continued: “USI has been talking constantly about how we have the worst student accommodation crisis ever and of the hardship that students are facing because of the soaring cost of living.
“And today students showed in huge numbers how bad the situation is. But this is just the beginning. Today was a show of force, but we will keep going until we see real change in the student accommodation crisis and in the extortionate cost of going to college.”
READ NEXT:
Irish babygirl with six holes in her heart overcomes all odds in her fight for life
Thousands of people searching 'delete Paypal' after 'insane' new policy announcement
Chicken, beer and yoghurt in full list of food recalled by Tesco, Dunnes, Lidl and more Irish shops
Why is there condensation on my window and how can I stop it forming?
TikTok user goes viral as she claims affordable anti-ageing serums are 'botox in a bottle'
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
