Robert Troy
Question:194. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to review the current level of fees for third-level courses. [32233/21]
View answerWednesday, 16 June 2021
Questions (194)
Written answers
In considering fees, it is important to note that the State currently provides very substantial financial support to undergraduate students in higher education towards the cost of their studies.
This commitment is demonstrated through the high level of fees support amounting to in excess of €500m per annum provided by the State for large numbers of students participating in higher education. This comprises tuition fee funding via the Free Fees Schemes under which the Exchequer currently contributes €340m to meeting the tuition fee costs of almost 140,000 eligible undergraduate students in higher education. All students eligible for the scheme receive state support whereby the Exchequer pays the cost of tuition fees exclusive of the student contribution. In addition, over 60,000 students have all or part of the €3,000 student contribution paid on their behalf under the Student Grant Scheme at a cost of over €180m.
This substantial funding support has played a very important role in enabling access to and growth in higher education in Ireland.
In terms of the future position, my Department's Statement of Strategy, which I published on 8 March last contains a commitment to put in place a sustainable funding model for higher education. This is essential in ensuring that our higher education institutions can effectively meet high standards of quality and performance, and achieve critical outcomes for our economy and society.
A comprehensive economic evaluation of the funding options contained in the Cassells Review was commissioned by the European Commission and undertaken by independent expert consultants. This review is currently being finalised.
I look forward to the completion of the funding review which will provide the basis for determining how best additional investment in higher education can meet future requirements, in particular in supporting access to higher education in terms of the totality of the costs of participation. This is an essential to meeting a core objective of my mission as Minister is that everyone regardless of their background, age, gender, or address achieves their best potential.