Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 3

Written Answers. - University Fees.

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

367 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider the abolition of university fees for courses run at night time in view of the fact that many of these courses are the same as those run by day; and, if not, if he will outline the reason he can differentiate between classes starting at 7 p.m. as opposed to 9 a.m. [21990/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

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 benefitted under the initiative in 1995-96 at a cost to the Exchequer of £54.5 million in 1996. The free fees initiative does not extend to students pursuing part-time or evening courses.

The latest available figures in relation to part-time students are those in respect of the 1995-96 academic year when there were some 22,000 part-time students at third level. In general, students pursuing part-time or evening courses are employed while students pursuing full-time day courses are full-time students. In this regard, the profile of part-time students considered by the steering committee on the future development of higher education indicated that almost 90 per cent of part-time students were in employment. In this context, 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.