Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 4

Written Answers - Third Level Fees.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

290 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost for each year from 1997 to 2002, inclusive, of the payment of tuition fees for third level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7798/03]

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

The expenditure by my Department on tuition fees is given as follows.

Year	Amount (millions)
	€
1997	120.57
1998	137.86
1999	175.29
2000	200.67
2001	219.97
2002	239.60

In addition, the Department's higher education and VEC scholarship schemes cover, where applicable, the tuition fees of eligible grant holders. The tuition fee element is given below.

Year	Amount (millions)
	€
1997	39.84
1998	27.58
1999	23.84
2000	20.85
2001	18.64
2002	Data not yet available

The Deputy will be aware that in 2002, I initiated a review of free fees and student supports within my Department. With spending of almost €382 million on all types of student supports, including free fees during 2002, I have a responsibility to ensure that this funding is targeted in a manner that achieves maximum impact from the point of view of value for money and equity of access to third level education. The report of the review exercise will be carefully considered before any changes to existing systems are contemplated.