Vol. 491 No. 3
491 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will cap the capitation charge for entry to third level colleges in view of the recent increase from £150 to £250 and the concern that this has caused in the general student population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11925/98]
542 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the increase from £150 to £250 in the capitation charge for third level colleges; the plans, if any, he has for the future regarding this fee; and if a commitment will be given to put a cap of £250 on this charge. [12360/98]
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 1997-98 academic year.
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.
The distribution of the charge payable by students for registration, exams and student services is a matter for the third level institution involved. When I accepted that the third level institutions could increase this charge from £150 to £250 for the current academic year, I was concerned about that portion of the charge which is intended to fund student services and in particular the lack of transparent procedures. Accordingly, I 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. The working group has completed its work and the Higher Education Authority has issued the framework to the publicly funded third level institutions.
This framework consists of guidelines to establish an appropriate system of consultation with students in the allocation of funding from the £250 charge and in the determination of student services to be funded from this source. In relation to the issue of transparency, the framework recommends that each institution should provide information as to the allocation of the £250 charge towards exams/registration and towards student services on an annual basis.
I am confident that the framework will be adopted by the various institutions involved and I have asked the Higher Education Authority to co-ordinate the review after six months, as recommended by the working party, of the consultative procedures and their outcome. I have not taken any decisions about the future arrangements in relation to this charge.
