Jonathan O'Brien
Question:66. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will refrain from further increasing student contributions and fees in the higher and further education spheres. [20498/14]
View answerWednesday, 7 May 2014
Questions (66)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Student Contribution stands at €2,500 for the current academic year and is payable by undergraduate 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 Contribution is paid by the Exchequer in respect of students who qualify under my Department's Student Grant Scheme (some 40%).
Work is ongoing between my Department and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on future funding policy for higher education.This builds upon the substantial amount of work already undertaken by the HEA. The objective is to identify a range of approaches that, combined, will achieve a sustainable funding base to address the continual expansion of the sector while protecting the quality of education.
The Deputy also refers to further education where Budget 2011 provided for the introduction of a €200 annual Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) programme participant contribution. This was introduced at the start of the 2011/2012 academic year and the same charge has applied each year since then. Full medical card holders (in their own right and their dependent children), those eligible under the student grant scheme and those in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) or Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) allowances are exempt from paying the contribution. Decisions in relation to funding matters such as these are generally made as part of the annual Estimates process.
Question No. 67 answered with Question No. 54.