Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 4

Written Answers. - Third Level Fees.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

258 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some students attending colleges in Northern Ireland are now being requested to pay a substantial sum of money to compensate for the fact that there is a limit on the amount the VEC can pay for tuition fees and this has now been exceeded due to the rate of exchange against sterling on a particular day; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of the concern that it has generated with students who are unable to meet the financial demands of the colleges concerned. [16066/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

Under the terms of the higher education grants scheme and the vocational education scholarship scheme, operated under the aegis of my Department, financial assistance by way of maintenance grant and a grant towards lecture fees is provided to eligible students attending approved postgraduate courses in Northern Ireland.

The amount of lecture fees payable under these schemes is subject to a maximum fee limit approved by the Minister for Education and Science. The maximum fee limit for the 1999-2000 academic year is IR£2,891 Where students, attending approved courses qualify for assistance towards tuition fees the fees are paid directly by the local authority or VEC to the college on receipt of an invoice from the college. In the case of students pursuing their studies in colleges in Northern Ireland, the value of the grant towards fees is converted into sterling at the prevailing exchange rate and this amount is paid to the college. Any remaining balance must be paid by the student.

Prior to 1996, students studying in Northern Ireland were paid the amount of the grant in sterling, without reference to exchange rates. Those students studying in Northern Ireland who were assessed under the student support schemes prior to 1996 continue to receive their grants in sterling, without reference to exchange rates. Students who commenced their studies from 1996 are paid under the revised arrangements.

I am satisfied that the current arrangements are equitable and efficient. While I appreciate the current exchange rate difficulties with sterling, I am not in a position to supplement grant aid for students pursuing courses in the United Kingdom or elsewhere in the EU. Moreover, such an approach could well give rise to anomalies and to claims of inequitable treatment between students studying in different countries.