Higher Education Grants.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (295)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

475 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if he will explain why the full amount of third level fees were not waived in this case given that the student is re-entering after more than five years and the student left her first course because of serious illness; if he will outline the statutory instrument or specific rule governing the free fees initiative that allows his Department to rule out free fees where the student re-enters a different course; and to make a statement on the matter. [22055/04]

Written answers

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

Under the terms of the free fees initiative my Department meets the tuition fees of eligible students. The free fees initiative provides that students who have pursued a course of third level study which has attracted exchequer funding, e.g. free fees, and who have not secured a terminal qualification, and who subsequently resume third level, studies are not eligible for free fees for the equivalent period of time spent on the first course of study. However, free fees can be provided to eligible students who, having attended but not completed approved courses, are returning following a break of at least five years in order to pursue approved courses at the same level.

I understand the student in question commenced a National Certificate course in Dundalk Institute of Technology in 1998 but left in December 1998. She is now undertaking a degree course in a different institution. Under the free fees initiative she is not eligible for free tuition fees for the first half of the 2004-05 academic year. The free fees initiative is not regulated by statutory instrument. It is administered on the basis of criteria laid down by the Minister.