Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
Noel Ahern
Ceist:
318
Mr. N. Ahern
asked the
Minister for Education
the current position on free third-level fees and tax relief on fees for postgraduate courses and degree night classes; if he will quantify the cost of giving free fees to these categories; and if he will make a statement on future intended improvements, if any.
[13467/97]
Seán Haughey
Ceist:
328
Mr. Haughey
asked the
Minister for Education
if he will extend the free college fees scheme to mature students doing evening degree courses; the proposals, if any, he has to amend the scheme of grants for higher education in accordance with the Local Authorities Higher Education Grants Acts, 1968 to 1992, to include such students; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13676/97]
It is proposed to answer Questions Nos. 318 and 328 together.
Under the free fees initiative, the State meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses, which must generally be of at least two years duration, at approved colleges. Over 28,000 students benefited under the initiative in 1995-6 at a cost to the Exchequer of £54.5 million in 1996. The free fees initiative does not extend to students pursuing postgraduate or part-time courses.
Students pursuing postgraduate courses at approved colleges can apply for grants in respect of their fees and maintenance under the student support schemes, i.e. the higher education grants scheme and the vocational education committee scholorship scheme. In addition students pursuing courses approved under the ESF-aided advanced technical skills (ATS) programme, which must be at post-graduate level, do not pay tuition fees.
The latest available figures are those in respect of the 1995-6 academic year which indicate that there were approximately 10,000 full-time post-graduate students in state funded third level institutions. On the basis of 10,000 students, it is estimated that the cost of extending the free fees initiative to students pursuing post-graduate courses would be in the region of £16 million. However, it is estimated that some 4,000 post-graduate students have their fees paid already under the ATS programme and the student support schemes. Accordingly, the net annual additional cost of extending the free fees initiative would be £9.5 million.
In relation to part-time students, the latest available figures are those in respect of the 1994-5 academic year when there were some 22,000 part-time students at third level. Data are not readily available in relation to fee levels. However, using an average estimated fee of £1,200 for 22,000 students the cost of extending the free fee initiative to part-time students would be in the region of £26 million.
I am looking at the overall position in relation to eligibility for free fees. However, any decision in this regard would have to have regard to the availability of resources and other competing needs in the education sector.
I would point out that tax relief is available, at the standard rate, under section 15 of the Finance Act, 1996, for tuition fees paid by eligible students who are attending approved part-time third level courses.
I have no details in relation to the proportion of part-time students who are aged 23 years and over. Although the report of the Steering Committee on the Future Development of Higher Education indicated that in 1992-3, the model age range for part-time students was between 23 and 26 years. The report also indicated that almost 90 per cent of part-time students were in employment.
