Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 5

Written Answers. - Third Level Charges.

Denis Naughten

Question:

183 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the fraction of the third level capitation charge allocated to student unions, clubs and societies at each of the third level colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20757/98]

Denis Naughten

Question:

185 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the capitation charge on each student at the individual third level colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20759/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 185 together.

In the context of the free fees initiative, the third level colleges levied a standardised charge of £150 in the 1995-96 academic year for examinations, registration and student services. This charge was fixed at a maximum of £150 for two academic years. At that time, the then Minister stated that the level of the charge would be reviewed. In the light of the arguments advanced by the universities that the true costs of the charges would on average amount to £400 in 1997-98, 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. In line with the 4 per cent increase agreed for third level tuition fees for the 1998-99 academic year, I also accepted a similar increase in the level of this charge to £260. The level of the charge is subject to annual review.

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.

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, 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 Higher Education Authority issued the framework to the publicly funded third level institutions in January, 1998.

The framework consists of guidelines to establish an appropriate system of consultation with students in the allocation of funding from the 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 charge towards exams/registration and towards student services on an annual basis.

In relation to my direction that any arrangements put in place should not adversely affect the current funding of students' unions, clubs and societies, the framework recommends that institutions be cognisant of the average contribution from the £150 base in this regard of £50, when determining the revised contribution for these services from the £250 charge.

The Higher Education Authority is currently co-ordinating a review of the consultative and decision making procedures in place in the various third level institutions in relation to the disbursement of these funds.

Finally, I understand that a number of colleges have agreed local additional levies with their student bodies for the provision of specific facilities. These arrangements are a matter for the individual colleges concerned and my Department has no function in their regard.