Vol. 255 No. 2
andDr. Byrne asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the proposed increase of fees by 25 per cent in the near future by University College, Dublin; if his Department will provide an increased grant to that university to obviate the necessity for this increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
34.
asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the 25 per cent increase in university fees proposed by the governing body of UCD; and if he will increase the subvention to UCD to obviate the necessity for such increase.
35.
asked the Minister for Education whether he proposes to take any action regarding the increase in university fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 34 and 35 together.
I am aware of the proposals of the governing body of University College, Dublin, to increase students' fees as from October next and again in October, 1972. This is a matter which cannot be considered in isolation. It raises major issues in regard to the future provision for higher education, the nature of that provision and the burden which should be placed on the taxpayer. It will be fully considered in all its aspects and I do not propose to make any statement in relation to it until this consideration has been completed.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate when it might be possible to make a statement because parents naturally will be perturbed by this turn of events and when the Cabinet, if it is a Cabinet decision, will make their decision on whether or not a further subvention will be available to obviate the necessity for this increase?
The Deputy can appreciate the fact that it will be taken as soon as possible, particularly having regard to the fact that students on grants will have to be considered as soon as possible.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say that the information will be given before next October?
I cannot say so.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary, being aware of the hardship facing many parents, give an assurance that a comprehensive statement will be made before the results of the leaving certificate examination and the matriculation examination come out in the autumn?
I cannot give any such assurance.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say whether or not he is aware that the reason why this problem has arisen is that the increase in the financial aid to the college is barely half the increase in expenditure?
If the Deputy wants to raise broad issues, there are many factors which are involved in this consideration to which I referred. Many of them would raise issues as to the student intake into certain faculties, whether or not, having regard to the taxpayers' burden in this matter, some allocations must be considered to the other third level institutes and, of course, also, the question will have to be considered to ensure that those on grants will be considered favourably having regard to the whole question. There are many other matters relating to the whole third level scheme other than those to which the Deputy has referred.
I think lack of money could be summed up as the root of this whole evil.
After that long statement from the Parliamentary Secretary, could I ask him is he aware that the grant per student in Trinity College, Dublin, is £350 a year, in University College, Cork and University College, Galway, £300 a year and in University College, Dublin, £200 a year? Does it surprise anybody that University College, Dublin, should have to increase their fees? He ought to have some regard for reality.
Deputy O'Donovan, amongst other things, ignores the reality that certain courses cost more than other courses. On the Higher Education Authority Bill the Deputy made that statement categorically.
The most expensive faculties are in University College, Dublin and the Parliamentary Secretary missed what I said.
Could I ask the Parliamentary Secretary if the grants will go up by the percentage increase in fees?
As I said, this matter is being considered at this time and I think it would be as well for the Deputy and all concerned to wait until the decision has been taken but I have indicated that the grants position particularly will obviously have to be given very full consideration.
Why did you not do it at the right time? Why did you not do it last February?
