Vol. 568 No. 1
127 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give an undertaking that the third level registration fee will not be increased in view of the need for families to be able to budget properly for students at third level for the coming academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15723/03]
165 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if there are plans to increase registration fees for the coming college year; and if there are other increases in the pipeline. [15837/03]
309 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will announce the cost of the third level registration charge for 2003-04 now, in order to end the uncertainty among third level students and their families. [15186/03]
310 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will freeze or reduce the registration charge for 2003-04. [15187/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 165, 309 and 310 together.
The charge referred to by the Deputies is levied by third level institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and student services. The amount of the charge is reviewed annually by the Higher Education Authority and my Department. No decision has been made on the level of the charge for the 2003-04 academic year.
It should be remembered that students who are eligible for means tested student support, in addition to any grant they are entitled to, have the charge paid on their behalf, either directly by my Department or through the local authorities and vocational education committees. This means that 34% of students in universities and 47% of students in institutes of technology do not pay the charge.
