Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 November 2012
299. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he intends to increase the student contribution fee by €250 this year and each year between now and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49962/12]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the student contribution increased from €2,000 to €2,250 for the current academic year. It is intended that the contribution will increase to €3,000 by 2015. The contribution is paid by the Exchequer in respect of students who qualify under my Department's student grant scheme.
Conscious of financial pressures on families, tax relief provisions have been put in place which provide for tax relief at the standard rate of tax for full-time fees in excess of €2,250. In addition, my Department, through the Higher Education Authority (HEA), has requested institutions to put arrangements in place whereby a student may pay the contribution in two instalments. I have been assured by the HEA that these arrangements are now in place.
The Deputy will also be aware the annual cost of attending college increased by over 950% during Fianna Fáil's time in office, from €190 in 1996/97 to €2,000 in 2011/12, effectively bringing to an end the era of free third-level education in Ireland.
