Michael Ring
Ceist:336 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to abolish fees for part-time students, to all students, on all courses, in all sectors. [13197/02]
Written Answers. - Part-time Students.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:399 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to provide free fees to part-time students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13849/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 366 and 399 together.
Within the State funded education sector alone, at least 180,000 students annually pursue part-time courses varying from hobby and leisure courses to basic education, personal development, vocational training and formally certified further and higher education programmes. Additional expenditure on free fees has to be considered in the light of other demands in the education system in increasing lifelong learning opportunities, tackling educational disadvantage at all levels, addressing capital and equipment needs and improving support services across the system. To abolish fees for all part-time students would be extremely costly and there are no plans at present to do so.
However, the importance and impact of funding arrangements is recognised in the light of the challenges facing education institutions in regard to issues such as equity, flexibility, competitiveness, workplace learning and demographic change. The issue of part-time fees is one of the areas being examined at present by the task force on lifelong learning which was established by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in collaboration with education, training, community and voluntary and social partner interests. The issue will be reviewed in the light of the recommendations in the task force report, which is due shortly, and the budgetary situation.