andMr. Blaney asked the Minister for Education the assistance students from this side of the Border attending the New University at Coleraine may expect from his Department in view of the impending large increase in fees.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Student Assistance.
30.
Pending consideration of the Estimates position for 1977-78 it is not possible to indicate what may be the level of the tuition element of higher education grants generally for students commencing their courses in 1977.
Will the Minister use his influence to see that students from the Twenty-six Counties attending this university will cease to be classified as foreign students?
That consideration does not affect the position that students from this State who comply with the higher education grants scheme requirement are eligible for grants under the scheme. In fact, there are 29 such students in the present academic year.
Is the Minister aware that higher fees are charged in British universities to foreign students than to students from Great Britain?
I am so aware.
Does the Minister see a problem in this if certain people regard the university at Coleraine as being in a different country?
Since the payments in question must arise in this State I do not think I should differentiate on any basis between students who take their university education here or elsewhere.
Will the Minister increase the grants and raise the ceiling?
I have said in reply to a previous question that it will be reviewed.