Vol. 488 No. 6
185 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dubin 6W and address the anomaly that exists in relation to third level fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6828/98]
The student referred to by the Deputy wishes to pursue an evening degree course in the National University of Ireland, Dublin. Under the free fees initiative, the State meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses, which must generally be of at least two years' duration, at approved colleges. The free fees initiative does not extend to students pursuing part-time or evening courses.
The latest available figures in relation to part-time students are those in respect of the 1995-6 academic year when there were some 22,000 part-time students at third level. Any proposal to extend the free fees initiative to these students would need to have regard to the availability of resources and other competing needs in the education sector.
In its report, the Steering Committee on the Future Development of Higher Education referred to the profile of part-time students and noted that almost 90 per cent were in employment. In this context, I would point out that tax relief is available, at the standard rate under section 15 of the Finance Act, 1996, for tuition fees paid by eligible students who are attending approved part-time third level courses.
