Vol. 529 No. 2
175 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider changes to the free third level fees scheme in order that students who decide to change their course after first year do not have to pay fees because of this change. [2634/01]
Under the terms of the free fees initiative the Exchequer meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending approved full-time undergraduate courses, other than certificate and diploma courses in the institutes of technology, which must generally be of at least two years' duration at approved colleges.
Students who are repeating a year at the same level are generally not eligible for funding.
However, this condition may be waived in exceptional circumstances such as cases of certified serious illness.
In the light of available financial resources and competing priorities in the educational sector there are no plans at present to introduce the change suggested by the Deputy.
