Helen Keogh
Question:3 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education her views on the fears that universities may have to charge a voluntary contribution to compensate for the abolition of fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5117/95]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Abolition of Third Level Fees.
Robert Molloy
Question:6 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Education, in view of research done at post-graduate level in this country, her views on whether it is appropriate to include postgraduates in the free third level education programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5247/95]
Desmond J. O'Malley
Question:23 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Education the reason night degree and diploma third level students were excluded from the free fees programme; and the action, if any she intends to take to rectify this situation. [5123/95]
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:102 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education whether access to third level education will be free for all students including night students, part-time students, post-graduate students and private college students; and whether free includes educational materials. [3837/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3, 6, 23 and 102 together. Third level institutions will receive Exchequer funding to compensate for fee income foregone due to the abolition of fees. I do not share the fears that universities may have to charge a voluntary contribution to compensate for the abolition of fees.
I have indicated previously that the abolition of fees applies to full-time undergraduate courses only. The decision applies to fees only and does not extend to educational materials. It is necessary to adopt this approach because the resources available to fund this measure are limited. I hope that, as resources become available, it will be possible to abolish fees for night students and part-time students. Students pursuing post-graduate studies are not eligible for free tuition. However, post-graduate students will continue to be eligible for tuition fee and maintenance grants subject to a means test under the third level student support schemes.
Representations have been made to me about the eligibility of students attending courses in certain institutions to avail of the initiative to abolish fees. I am considering these representations at present and will convey my decision in due course.
I am afraid the Minister's reply will not sustain young people's expectations of finding a place at university. How much money will be available to the universities to compensate them for the abolition of third level fees given that this year's allocation is regarded as insufficient and given the amounts available through covenants— the Minister for Finance cited that £25 million was available?
The universities will be compensated for the fee income foregone due to the abolition of fees. They receive funding through the block grant mechanism, grants for fees that were paid, and now there will be a third element when the private fee element will be met by the Exchequer.
As it is the Minister's intention to compensate universities for the loss of fee income would it not be a good idea to tell us how much it will cost? For instance, does the Minister intend to index link this sum or will we find ourselves in the same situation as local authority members do where the rate support grant is some 30 per cent of what it was when it was first initiated?
A commitment was given in the budget that undergraduate fees would be abolished and the Exchequer would meet the cost. The Higher Education Authority will be responsible for the administration of the new scheme and is responsible for the administration of funding to the institutions. It has been agreed to establish a working party under the chairmanship of the Higher Education Authority to include the Department and a committee of heads of Irish universities to flesh out the implementation details. We hope to have the working party report before the end of April.
Does the Minister accept it was her decision to implement free fees at university level, therefore, it should be her responsibility to ensure there is proper and sufficient funding for the universities? Does she not agree that it is rich to try to palm it off on the Higher Education Authority when it is her direct responsibility?
It was not my decision but a Government decision announced by the Minister for Finance on the day of his budget. The Government has given a commitment to recompense the universities for the abolition of third level fees. The universities are already in receipt of 75 per cent funding from the State and we have not reneged on that.
It is not a personal commitment but a Government decision and it is being underwritten by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement. As regards details of its implementation, I do not want to pre-empt the working party. To suggest that one might palm off work to the Higher Education Authority is not to quite appreciate the responsibility the Higher Education Authority takes on behalf of the Department of Education.