Vol. 452 No. 3
31 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the increase in recent years in the numbers of postgraduate students; if her attention has been drawn to concerns that postgraduate fees may be substantially increased in 1995/1996; the plans, if any, she has to provide increased aid for postgraduate students unable to meet their fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7865/95]
I am aware of and welcome the increase in the number of postgraduate students in recent years. The level of postgraduate fees is determined by the individual third level institutions. Generally, postgraduate fees are lower than undergraduate fees at present.
Postgraduate students will continue to be eligible for tuition fee and maintenance grants subject to a means test under the third level student support schemes. Moreover, since 1989-90 an average of about 2,000 postgraduate students per annum have received free tuition under the advanced technical skills programme which is funded by my Department with assistance from the European Social Fund. Funding is also available from Forbairt for research students.
