Liam Aylward
Question:234 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the application for fees by a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [25577/99]
Written Answers. - Third Level Fees.
Under the terms of the free fees initiative, the Exchequer meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending approved third level courses. Students who already hold an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second undergraduate degree are not eligible under the initiative. Students who are repeating a year at the same level are generally not eligible for funding. Similarly, students who have pursued a course of third level study which has attracted Exchequer funding, e.g. fees, maintenance, tax relief, subsidy towards course cost, and who have not secured a terminal qualification and subsequently resume third level studies, are not eligible for free fees for the equivalent period of time spent on the first course of study.
As the student referred to by the Deputy already pursued part of a BA in languages and cultural studies at UCC, which is an approved course under the initiative, she is now liable for a half year's tuition fee in respect of the BA in physiotherapy at UCD. These conditions apply irrespective of the tuition costs of either course and it is not possible to allow the student the difference in the cost of the tuition fees between the two courses.
My officials have been in contact with Kilkenny County Council regarding this case and I understand that the student in question, who holds a higher education grant was advised by local authority officials that, under the terms of the free fees initiative, as she was withdrawing from the course prior to 31 January 1999, she would be liable for half fees, in respect of any new course in the 1999-2000 academic year. In addition, as she had been paid the first instalment of her maintenance grant in respect of the 1998-99 academic year, she was advised that her grant would be resumed from the second instalment of the 1999-2000 academic year if she were to subsequently pursue an approved course. This is in accordance with the provisions of the higher education grants scheme which provides that students who have previously pursued an undergraduate course approved for the purposes of the scheme will not receive a grant until they have completed an equivalent period of study at his-her own expense.