Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 8 Mar 2001

Vol. 532 No. 3

Written Answers. - Repeat Examinations.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

155 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider the plight of students who are required to repeat a year after failing an examination and ensure they are not charged full fees for the repeat year. [7286/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

My Department meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending full-time approved undergraduate courses at approved colleges. Students who are repeating a year at the same level are generally not eligible for funding. This condition may be waived in exceptional circumstances such as cases of certified serious illness. There are no plans at present to extend the scope of the free tuition fees provisions to cover students required to repeat a year after failing an examination.

The Finance Bill, 2001, contains a provision to allow for tax relief, at the standard rate of tax, on fees paid in respect of repeat years of study on courses to which free tuition normally applies. This relief will be effective from the 2001-02 academic year and further information will be available from local tax offices when the Finance Act, 2001, comes into effect.