Paul McGrath
Question:1 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has for the introduction of free fees to all students at third level colleges; and if such proposals have been approved by the Government. [1184/94]
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Third Level Education Fees.
Michael Noonan
Question:37 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Education the decision, if any, made by Government in relation to the proposed exemption of third level students from fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [572/94]
Michael Noonan
Question:122 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Education when she will be in a position to abolish fees for all third level courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [234/94]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 37 and 122.
I am firmly committed to free access to education at first, second and third level. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to ensure no student is deprived of access to third level education because of his or her financial circumstances. As I indicated on RTE on 26 July, I believe I will see, in the lifetime of my Ministry, free access to all who can avail of further and third level education.
The time is right for public representatives and the general public to discuss in a positive manner the question of wider and fairer access to third level education, and the need for the essential reforms and greater resources to achieve this. I am actively working on detailed proposals on this matter. I hope in this way to help many people on modest incomes who are outside the income eligibility limits for higher education grants and who are experiencing growing financial hardship in providing a third level education for their children.
The Minister said she is committed to the introduction of free third level education. All of us are committed to various matters. Will the Minister go further and indicate if it amounts to more than a commitment? Has this been discussed and approved by Government?
I am actively working on detailed proposals on this matter. That is all I have to say.
The Minister is saying that when she appeared on the plinth and announced that she was committed to the introduction of free fees for third level students she was flying a kite, that she had not worked out the cost and how it would be funded and who would benefit. On other occasions the Minister indicated her commitment to helping the disadvantaged. Would the introduction of free fees at third level be of help to disadvantaged students in gaining access to college?
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to ensure that no student is deprived of access to third level education because of his or her financial circumstances. I am committed in the lifetime of my Ministry to the introduction of free fees for undergraduates. I am actively working on proposals for this. On the question of whether one person from a disadvantaged background would gain access to third level education, my Department has taken many initiatives to ensure people from all social backgrounds benefit fully from the education system. There must be intervention in some cases at pre-school level to ensure that children, regardless of background, will aspire to and benefit from third level education. It appears from the information available to us — this is the subject of a separate question — that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are increasingly taking up places at third level.
All we have had from the Minister is a load of waffle. The Labour Party gave a commitment in its manifesto that it would administer third level grants on the basis of net income. Yesterday in reply to a question the Minister informed me that she had no proposals to implement——
We are having a statement rather than a question.
When does the Minister expect to bring proposals to Cabinet and how quickly can we expect a definite decision to be made rather than a kite flying exercise?
I am actively working on detailed proposals.