asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the fact that students from the Twenty-six Counties attending the New University of Ulster may be faced with a prohibitive increase in fees next year, he will make representations to the appropriate Minister in Great Britain to ensure that these students will not be discriminated against.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - University Fees.
24.
It is understood that the fees charged in the New University of Ulster, Coleraine, have general application to students from any part of Ireland. It would not be considered appropriate to make representations as suggested.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary give an assurance that the higher rate fees which apply to foreign students will not be applied to students from the Twenty-six Counties?
I gather that the situation is that a common fee increase is being introduced. The problem is that grants are being increased in the UK for students from the UK to compensate for the increases that are taking place.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that it is reliably reported that there will be a higher rate increase for foreign students, apart from the offsetting effect of any increased grant, and that this rate may be applied to the few students from Donegal who attend the University?
I can assure the Deputy that from discussions that have taken place, as recently as yesterday, with the authorities of the New University of Ulster that the same fee will be charged to students from both sides of the Border.
Our students will not benefit by the improved grant?
Obviously, because they are not citizens of the UK.
It is Ireland we are talking about. Will the Government make up that difference?
The question of improvements in the grant scheme for higher education here is a matter to be considered in the context of the budgetary situation.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary not give some undertaking that our students will be brought into line with the UK students attending the university by giving them an increased grant?
That is a separate question.