Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Sep 1995

Vol. 456 No. 2

Written Answers. - Postgraduate Courses and Fees.

Micheál Martin

Question:

65 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to reduce postgraduate fees; and the further plans she has to provide additional resources to the postgraduate sector in order to prevent cutbacks in books and facilities. [13617/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The level of fees for post-graduate courses is a matter for the individual third-level institutions themselves to decide. Generally, post-graduate fees are lower than undergraduate fees at present.

Post-graduate students will continue to be eligible for tuition fees and maintenance grants subject to means test under the third-level student support schemes.

The universities receive an annual block grant from the Higher Education Authority towards their recurrent expenditure needs. The institutions are required to operate within their allocations and their overall budgets in respect of their income and expenditure are subject to consideration and approval by the Higher Education Authority. However, the detailed allocation of their resources between departments and services are matters for the institutions themselves.

In the context of the Government's consideration of the 1996 Estimates I shall be endeavouring to ensure that adequate provision is made for the third-level institutions within overall financial constraints.