Vol. 485 No. 2
362 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will extend the higher education grants scheme and the free fees initiative to part-time students; and the other initiatives, if any, he will take in this regard to lighten the financial burden for part-time students. [22887/97]
Under the free fees initiative, the State meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses, which must generally be of at least two years duration, at approved colleges. Over 28,000 students benefited under the initiative in 1995/96 at a cost to the Exchequer of £54.5 million in 1996. In the same academic year, almost 26,000 students received grants under the Higher Education Grants Scheme at a cost in 1996 of over £51 million. The free fees initiative and the Higher Education Grant Scheme do not extend to students pursuing part-time or evening courses.
The latest available figures in relation to part-time students are those in respect of the 1995-96 academic year when there were some 22,000 part-time students at third-level. In this regard, the profile of part-time students considered by the steering committee on the future development of higher education, indicated that almost 90 per cent of part-time students were in employment.
In this context, I would point out that tax relief is available at the standard rate under section 15 of the Finance Act, 1996 for tuition fees paid by eligible students who are attending approved part-time third level courses.
I am looking at the overall position in relation to eligibility for free fees and higher education grants. However, any decision in this regard would have to have regard to the availability of resources and other competing needs in the education sector.
