Vol. 344 No. 9
asked the Minister for Education if she is concerned that the 100 per cent rise in fees which has just been announced in respect of VEC colleges, will restrict access to the less well-off, given that the colleges affected, the five Dublin colleges and the nine regional technical colleges, were designed to assist the less well-off to obtain third level education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
175.
asked the Minister for Education if she has issued a directive to the vocational educational committees throughout the country to increase students fees by 100 per cent for the forthcoming academic year; the reasons for this massive increase; if she is aware that such an increase will put a regional technical education outside the limits of most less well-off families who are receiving third level education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
176.
asked the Minister for Education if she is aware of the severe hardship likely to be caused to many students and their families by her decision to double fees for students attending technological and regional technological colleges, particularly as these colleges often offer the only hope of third level education for children of lower income families; if she will reconsider her decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
177.
asked the Minister for Education the number of students at technological and regional technological colleges who will be directly affected by her decision to increase fees for the next academic year.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 to 177, inclusive, together.
I would draw the attention of the Deputies to the document Principal Features of the Budget presented to Dáil Éireann on Wednesday, 9 February 1983 in which it was announced that the fees would be raised in regional technical colleges and in the technological colleges.
Following discussions with the Irish Vocational Education Association the relevant circular letter in the matter was issued on 3 June 1983.
I am satisfied that the increases announced are appropriate and reasonable in all circumstances.
Approximately 9,000 full-time students out of a total of 14,000 full-time students in the regional technical colleges and colleges of technology received aid through scholarships, ESF training grants or Higher Education Grants in 1982-83. The grant per student includes the amount of the fees. Accordingly, such students would not be affected by the adjustment in the amount of the fees payable.
