Vol. 260 No. 9
asked the Minister for Education if an increase in student fees is contemplated for any university college or other institute of third level education; if he will give an assurance that such increased fees will not apply to holders of local authority grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
37.
asked the Minister for Education whether it is intended to increase the student fees at any of the university colleges for the coming academic year; if so, if he will state the increases involved for each faculty; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 37 together.
I have seen references to the intention of certain of the university authorities to raise fees for the coming academic year. These authorities are autonomous bodies and it is a matter for them to determine the fees which they will charge. I have no function in the matter nor do I have the detailed information sought by the Deputy. The position of grant holders will be considered in the event of fees being raised.
Has there been any provision in the recent budget in relation to the expected increase in the fees of the university colleges? Further, has the Minister sanctioned any further increases?
As I pointed out to the Deputy, this is a matter strictly for the universities. They are autonomous bodies and if I were to interfere they would tell me immediately that the matter was none of my business.
Is the Minister aware that one university has increased its fees by 100 per cent in two years? Is he telling the House that if a university were to increase its fees by as much as 500 per cent, he could do nothing about it?
What I am telling the House is that the universities are autonomous bodies and they decide the position regarding fees.
That is not an answer to my question.
Would the Minister not agree that the fees charged are related to the adequacy of the State contribution and that increases arise only when the State contribution fails to increase by an adequate amount?
The Deputy is aware that we have allocated a very considerable amount of money to third level education and that towards the end of the last financial year the supplementary estimate made available to universities was approximately £1 million.
Many of us are of the opinion that the contribution is inadequate.
Can the Minister assure the House that if fees are increased he will take immediate action to increase grants to scholarship holders?
I would consider that position should the occasion arise.
