Vol. 536 No. 2
478 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the assistance he can give a person (details supplied) in County Waterford in regard to the third level free fees initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13923/01]
My Department's free fees initiative contains a provision relating to residency. Under the free fees criteria, tuition fees will be paid in respect of EU nationals who have been ordinarily resident in an EU member state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to a third level course, subject to certain conditions. This condition applies equally to all EU nationals, including Irish nationals, in accordance with the judgment of the European Court of Justice that access to vocational training must apply equally to all EU nationals. From the information supplied, it appears that the person to whom the Deputy refers does not meet this condition relating to residency.
