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Third Level Fees

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Questions (1294, 1295, 1296)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1294. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of altering the free fees criteria to encompass students enrolled on a graduate entry programme who already hold a level 8 degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18809/21]

View answer

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1295. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of altering the free fees criteria to encompass the final year of studies for students enrolled on an integrated master's programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18810/21]

View answer

Catherine Connolly

Question:

1296. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to review the eligibility criteria of the free fees initiative; the process in which the eligibility criteria for the free fees initiative can be altered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18811/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1294, 1295 and 1296 together.

Under the Department's Free Fees Initiative (FFI), the Exchequer pays tuition fees on behalf of eligible first time undergraduate students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses. In order to qualify for funding under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative, students must meet the criteria of the scheme including previous education attainment.

In this regard students attending a graduate entry course are not eligible for free fees funding, Students entering such courses are undertaking second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding for any periods of study at the same year level.

As referenced above, funding under the FFI is available for undergraduate awards only. In practice, this means that only the undergraduate portion of an integrated masters programme would be eligible for free fees funding. A full tuition fee is payable by all students for any postgraduate/Level 9 award portion of the course of study. Separately, SUSI grant support is available for those students who meet the qualifying criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression. Different supports are available to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Qualifying students attending integrated/intercalated courses, will be initially assessed in respect of the undergraduate portion of the course. A separate application will be required in respect of the portion of the course deemed to be the postgraduate element.

Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including the management of academic affairs. They retain the right to determine their own policies and procedures. The total level of fees to be charged in the case of graduate entry courses or the postgraduate element of an integrated masters course are therefore solely a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria.

My department currently has no plans to provide free fees funding for second degree courses or postgraduate years under the FFI therefore the cost of supporting such courses have not been estimated.

In terms of future funding plans and policy, the development of a sustainable funding model for higher education is essential in light of the centrality of higher education to our progress as a country. The future development of Ireland as an inclusive society and a knowledge economy, against the backdrop of rapid technological change will be critically dependant on the quality of our graduates.

In that context, a comprehensive economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education is underway supported under the European Commission DG Reform Programme. My Department is working closely with the European Commission and the independently appointed consortia of consultants. The key aim of this review is to investigate methods of increasing the sustainability of higher and further education provision in Ireland, including an examination of the funding options. This review commenced in early 2020 and work is expected to be complete towards the latter part of Q2 2021. Completion of this work will allow for an informed debate on the appropriate policy approach to future planning and funding of higher and further education provision which is fundamental to Ireland's economic and social sustainability.

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