Vol. 482 No. 2
112 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has decided to cap the registration fee which recently increased to £250; if not, the plans, if any, he has to further increase this fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17505/97]
In the context of the free fees initiative, a standardised charge of £150 was levied by the third level colleges in the 1995-96 academic year for examinations, registration and student services. This charge was fixed at a maximum of £150 for the 1995-96 and 1996-97 academic years and set for review this year.
The universities have argued that the true cost of these charges would on average amount to £400 in the 1997-98 academic year and that, increasingly, the services have required subvention from other areas of their income. The need for improved student services has also been highlighted by both the universities and the technological sector. In the light of these arguments and the fact that the charge had been frozen since 1995, I accepted that the third level institutions could increase this charge to £250. I would point out that students who are eligible for maintenance grants under the means-tested student support schemes do not have to pay this charge. In this regard, some 60 per cent of certificate and diploma students in the technological sector and 40 per cent of students in the university sector are eligible for maintenance grants.
I have also requested the chairman of the Higher Education Authority to reconvene the working group, which was previously established to review and make recommendations on the implementation of the charge, to prepare a framework of good practice in relation to this charge, with particular reference to the principles of transparency and accountability. I would also mention that I have increased the student representation on the working group, to four students. I expect that this framework will be available by the end of November and in anticipation of the publication of the framework, I have requested all institutions to consult with students' unions on the application of funding for improved student services.
I have decided on the level of the fee for the current academic year. I have not taken any decisions about future arrangements in relation to the charge.
