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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Mar 2000

Vol. 517 No. 1

Written Answers. - Third Level Charges.

Seán Haughey

Question:

187 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to link the capitation fee increase for university students to the rate of inflation and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9253/00]

Seán Haughey

Question:

188 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to eliminate the exams and registration element of the capitation fee for university students; if he will bring increased accountability regarding the way in which this money is spent and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9254/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together.

The capitation charge referred to by Deputy Haughey refers to the standardised charge levied in the context of the free fees initiative in the 1995-96 academic year for examinations, registration and student services. When introduced, 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 charge 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, it was accepted that the third level institutions could increase this charge to £250 for the 1997-98 academic year. In line with the 4% increase agreed for third level tuition fees for the 1998-99 academic year, a similar increase in the level of this charge to £260 was accepted.

The Deputy will be aware that the charge is not paid by students in receipt of grants.

The universities further increased this charge by 7% to £278 for the current academic year and this increase was made without my predecessor's approval. Section 40 of the Universities Act, 1997, enables a university to determine and charge fees for student registration, courses, lectures, etc. The Higher Education Authority can review, with the universities, the fees charged by the universities and then, having consulted with me, the Higher Education Authority can advise the universities on the fees, which in its opinion, should be charged. Accordingly, there is no specific statutory requirement for the universities to seek the approval of the Minister for Education and Science for the increase in the student charge. Prior to this year, there was agreement as to the level of increase in the charge and my officials are engaged in discussions with the Higher Education Authority and the universities regarding an agreed procedure for reviewing fee levels in the future.
The Higher Education Authority issued the framework of good practice in relation to this charge, with particular reference to the principles of transparency and accountability 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.
The Higher Education Authority has reviewed the consultative and decision making procedures in place in the various third level institutions in relation to the charge and is satisfied that all third level institutions have endeavoured to put in place arrangements that they considered to be appropriate. On the allocation of the student services charge, the Higher Education Authority notes that the key issue is that appropriate consultation has taken place with students in arriving at decisions. While the aspects of the framework dealing with transparency and accountability were outside the scope of the HEA's review, the authority has reiterated its view that each institution should ensure that information on the expenditure from the fund arising from the charge should be made available to its students.
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