Vol. 511 No. 3
385 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will extend the free fees scheme to students who are undertaking distance learning courses through recognised colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24172/99]
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. Distance learning courses are regarded as part-time courses and do not come within the scope of the free fees initiative.
Any proposal to extend the free fees initiative to part-time students would have to have regard to the availability of resources and other competing needs in the education sector.
In the 1997-98 academic year, there were more than 25,000 part-time students at third level. The steering committee on the future development of higher education considered the profile of part-time students in 1996-97 and found that almost 90% of part-time students were in employment. In this context, I would point out that under section 475 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, tax relief is available at the standard rate for tuition fees paid by eligible students who are attending approved part-time undergraduate third level courses, including distance education courses.
