Vol. 557 No. 2
205 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 24 October 2002, if he will revisit the question asked as it does not relate to free fees but to the resumption of a course by a student who had paid the fees the previous year and had to defer due to illness; if he will clarify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21798/02]
As outlined to the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 72 of 24 October 2002, it is the institutes of technology which take decisions regarding eligibility for free tuition fees, based on criteria issued by my Department. These institutions do not refer individual queries to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular condition in the criteria is desired.
The institute of technology in question is a statutory body established under the Regional Technical Colleges Acts, 1992 and 1994. Under these Acts, the governance and day to day activities of the Institute are matters for which the governing body and the management of the Institute are responsible.
