Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Jun 1998

Vol. 491 No. 7

Written Answers. - Third Level Fees.

Richard Bruton

Question:

215 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied), whose parents live and work in Ireland, will not qualify for reduced fees as he has been educated overseas; and if he will amend the rules so that similar cases can be dealt with fairly. [13268/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I understand that the student in question is being charged the non EU fee by Trinity College Dublin because under the admission requirements regulations of the college he does not qualify as an EU applicant.

The admission requirements regulations of TCD state that an EU application is one made by a person:

(a) who is permanently resident in the EU and who will have received full time post primary education in the EU for three of the five year immediately preceding admission, or who has worked full time in the EU for three years immediately preceding admission: or

(b) who holds a passport from an EU state and has received all his/her full time post primary education within the EU, or has received full time education in the EU for three of the five years immediately preceding admission.

Applications from children of EU Government officials living abroad are treated as EU applications. All other applications are considered to be non-EU applications.

Trinity College Dublin is an autonomous institution which sets its own admission requirements regulations and it would not be appropriate to me to become involved in such matters.

The student referred to is not entitled to free tuition under the free fee initiative as he was not resident in an EU member state for three of the five years immediately prior to entry to third level.