Vol. 518 No. 5
208 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the level of the capitation fee payable by students in each of the third level colleges; the amount for exam fees and registration in each case; and the plans, if any, he has to control these fees at a reasonable and standard level throughout the sector. [12171/00]
The capitation fee referred to by Deputy Shortall refers to the standardised charge levied in the context of the free fees initiative in the 1995-96 academic year for examinations, regis tration 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.
In the light of the increase in the charge being levied by the universities, my predecessor agreed to an increase to £278 for the charge payable by students in the institutes of technology, however, this approval was on the basis that £8 of the increase would be specifically devoted to attrition-access initiatives in the individual institutions.
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.
