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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Apr 1998

Vol. 489 No. 6

Written Answers. - Third Level Fees.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

669 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement regarding the registration fees of third level colleges in view of the fact that this fee was raised from £150 to £250 in 1997; if he will give a commitment that there will be a cap put on the raising of this fee and that a similar unforeseen rise in the registration fee could not be imposed again. [8585/98]

Deirdre Clune

Question:

722 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has for the basic charge payable by students for entry to third level colleges; the plans, if any, he has to cap this charge or let it increase indefinitely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8870/98]

John V. Farrelly

Question:

744 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a decision was made to permit third level colleges to increase the basic charge payable (details supplied) by students for entry; if he will cap this charge or reverse the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9158/98]

Liam Lawlor

Question:

745 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the concerns of third level students and their representatives regarding the increases in entry fees to tertiary institutions with particular regard to future policy on incremental increase in these fees (details supplied). [9159/98]

Michael Ring

Question:

763 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to cap the registration fees for third level students. [9211/98]

Brendan Howlin

Question:

785 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the concerns regarding a further increase in entry charges for students attending third level colleges; if he will consider capping this charge at the current level of £250 per student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9450/98]

Question:

787 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will fix the capitation fee for third level capitation at its current rate for the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9453/98]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

790 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the recent increase from £150 to £250 for student entry fees; the plans, if any, he has to have this fee capped in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9456/98]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 669, 722, 744, 745, 763, 785, 787 and 790 together.

In the context of the free fees initiative, a standardised charge of £150 was levied by the third level colleges in the 1995-6 academic year for examinations, registration and student services. This charge was fixed at a maximum of £150 for the 1995-6 and 1996-7 academic years and set for review this academic year. In the light of the arguments advanced by the universities that the true costs of the charges would on average amount to £400 in 1997-8, the need for improved student services and the fact that the charge had been frozen since 1995, I accepted that the third level institutions could increase this charge to £250 for the 1997-8 academic year.

Students eligible for maintenance grants under the means tested student support schemes do not have to pay this charge. In this regard, 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 not taken any decisions about the future arrangements in relation to this charge.

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