Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2019
47. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the level of commitment which exists that fees from higher level education institutions will not change for students from Northern Ireland post Brexit should Britain exit the European Union. [10935/19]
View answerIn January my Department confirmed that any eligible UK resident students who enroll for eligible courses for the 2019/20 academic year in a third level institution recognised for the purposes of free fees will be able to avail of my Department’s Free Fee Schemes, akin to current arrangements. This is in line with similar assurances given in previous years.
Maintaining access by UK students to Irish higher education following Brexit, on the same basis they currently enjoy, will be provided for under the Common Travel Area. Discussions on these are nearly finalised. Once concluded, they will maintain existing arrangements, including the right of UK nationals to access the free fees initiative, with UK residency and nationality counting towards eligibility.
