Vol. 454 No. 1
12 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the present position in relation to the implementation of the third-level free fees proposal announced in the budget; whether colleges will be entitled to levy registration fees, capitation fees and library fees; and if she will define what is meant by tuition fees. [10344/95]
As I indicated in my announcement following the budget I intend to implement the removal of tuition fees in two stages. In the 1995-96 academic year undergraduate students will pay half tuition fees and in the 1996-97 academic year undergraduate tuition fees will be abolished.
Following that announcement I asked the chairperson of the Higher Education Authority to set up a working party to prepare proposals for the implementation of the new arrangements and to report to me. The working party includes representatives of the Higher Education Authority, the universities, the regional technical colleges, the Dublin Institute of Technology and my Department.
In finalising its report for me I understand the working party is considering the existing practices across all the third level institutions in relation to the fees mentioned by the Deputy and will make recommendations to me in that regard.
In the strict literal sense tuition fees, of course, means the fees paid for teaching and tutorials. As the Deputy is aware the coverage of student fees has until now varied between the university sector, the Dublin Institute of Technology and regional technical college sector. In the universities, the student fee covers tuition, registration and exam fees and capitation fees paid for the funding of student services. In the Dublin Institute of Technology and the regional technical colleges most students pay fees ranging from £100 to £150 to cover these items. In establishing the working party my objective is to harmonise the practices across the whole third level sector.
When I receive the report and recommendations of the working party I will consider them carefully, together with the views of the student interests, before deciding on the detailed arrangements that will apply. I expect these arrangements will address, among other issues, the questions raised by the Deputy.
Will the Minister give an exact indication when the report of the working party will be ready for publication?
I cannot give such an indication, other than to say I appreciate that people in the colleges and universities are awaiting this information. As soon as that information is made available to me I will comment on it and I will then bring my recommendations to the notice of the institutions.
As this is now the month of June, will the Minister not accept there is an urgency with respect to this issue? Colleges require some indication as to what they will be charging next autumn and every effort should be made to avoid administrative chaos in our colleges and regional technical colleges in the forthcoming academic year.
In making this matter the responsibility of the Higher Education Authority, there will not and could never be threatened administrative chaos. I hope to have the report and recommendations of the working party in the very near future. I am conscious of the need to clarify this matter at an early date in the interests of the students and their parents, and to enable the CAO and third level colleges finalise their arrangements for the next academic year.
Is there a possibility that colleges will continue to be entitled to charge registration fees?
The announcement I made concerned the abolition of tuition fees and I spelt that out in strict literal terms — tuition fees means the fees paid for teaching and tutorials.
Do I take it from the Minister's reply that registration fees will continue to be charged?
What was announced in the budget was the abolition of tuition fees to third level students. Different practices obtain in different colleges and there are various ways in which tuition fees can be a composite fee, particularly for students receiving grants. It would be useful if the Deputy awaited the working party's report which will outline for him and those involved in the administration of fees what the position will be for the coming year.
This is my last opportunity before the recess to put questions to the Minister on this issue. I take it that the Minister is not ruling out the possibility that capitation, registration and even library fees will continue to be charged and that, even two years from now, students might continue to face bills of up to £300. Will registration and capitation fees be means tested?
I realise this is the final opportunity, before the end of this academic year, to discuss this matter but I repeat that I have not seen the recommendations of the working party which has examined the practices in various situations. I can only repeat my original. The announcement in the budget concerned the abolition of tuition fees over a two-year period. To speculate on the recommendations of the working party is not fruitful.
