Mary Coughlan
Question:205 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Education the specific measures, if any, she will take when the cap on the £150 charge paid by third level students is lifted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4951/97]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
Máirín Quill
Question:214 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Education if she will give a breakdown of where the £150 charge, paid by third level students, is spent by UCD, UCG, UCC, TCD, Maynooth, UL, DCU, Dublin Institute of Technology, WIT, the ten regional technical colleges, Milltown, St. Angela's, Sligo, St. Patrick's, Drumcondra, and the National College of Industrial Relations under the headings of registration, examinations, student services and other areas. [5074/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 214 together.
On the basis of a recommendation from the working group which I established to advise on the arrangements for implementing the fees initiative, I approved a charge by the third level colleges for examinations, registration and student services. This charge was fixed at a maximum of £150 for the 1995-96 and 1996-97 academic years. Any proposal for an increase in the charge would be subject to my approval. I have no specific measures in mind at this stage.
In July 1996 a working group was established to review and make recommendations on the £150 charge paid by each student towards the cost of examinations, registration and student services. This group is chaired by the Higher Education Authority and includes representatives of my Department, the universities, the regional technical colleges, the Dublin Institute of Technology and the Union of Students in Ireland.
The information sought by Deputy Quill is not available to my Department. I understand that the working group is in the process of compiling information on the distribution of the £150 charge with a view to informing the work of the group.