Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 2

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Noel Ahern

Question:

347 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science the grants available towards the cost of further education which are available to workers; his views on the widely held belief that workers are treated unfairly compared to students or the unemployed in further education costs; if he will consider further improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13379/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Participation is generally free on adult literacy programmes, and on all full-time further and higher level recognised, nationally certified, education courses up to and including under-graduate level. Third level and PLC students may also avail of means-tested maintenance grants. In addition, adults over 21 who are unemployed at least six months, or dependent spouses, lone parents and people with disabilities who satisfy these criteria and are pursuing recognised full time courses in further or higher education may either receive a training allowance under the vocational training opportunities scheme or a payment from the Department of Social and Family Affairs under the back to education allowance scheme.

Tax relief at standard rates is available up to a fee limit of €3,175 for fees paid in respect of nationally certified post graduate courses, and nationally certified full-time or part-time third level courses of at least two years duration. Tax relief is also available on fees, ranging from €315 to €1,270, paid in respect of FÁS IT and foreign language courses.

Under the recently announced back to education initiative, under which part time options are being introduced in the further education sector, tuition will be free for medical card holders, means-tested welfare recipients and those with unemployment payments or family income supplement, and their dependants. A reduced fee will apply to other unwaged categories with less than upper secondary education, and fees will be charged for the remainder. The impact of this on the participation of specific groups will be monitored.

The main issue highlighted in consultations in relation to those in the workplace is the question of fees payable on part time courses. Within the State funded education sector alone, at least 180,000 students annually pursue part time courses varying from hobby and leisure courses to basic education, personal development, vocational training and formally certified higher education programmes. Additional expenditure on free fees has to be considered in the light of other demands in the education system in increasing lifelong learning opportunities, tackling educational disadvantage at all levels, addressing capital and equipment needs and improving support services across the system. To abolish fees for all part time students would be extremely costly and there are no plans at present to do so.

However, the importance and impact of funding arrangements are recognised in the light of the challenges facing education institutions in regard to issues such as equity, flexibility, competitiveness, workplace learning and demographic change. The issue of part time fees is one of the areas being examined at present by the task force on lifelong learning which was established by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in collaboration with education, training, community and voluntary and social partner interests. The issue will be reviewed in the light of the recommendations in the task force report, which is due shortly, and the budgetary situation.