Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013
70. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give a commitment to a timeline to reverse the increases he is making in the student registration fee, as proposed by the Union of Students in Ireland in its pre-budget submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42234/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the Student Contribution stands at €2,500 for the current academic year and is payable by students who qualify under my Department's free fees schemes. I have already signalled my intention to increase the Student Contribution by €250 each year hereafter until the 2015/16 academic year when the Contribution will stand at €3,000. The full Contribution is paid by the Exchequer in respect of students who qualify under my Department's Student Grant Scheme (some 40%). The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is undertaking a study on the sustainability of the current funding system for higher education and I will be advised as this work progresses. The report will help inform decision-making as to the future funding of the sector.
