Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 1

Written Answers - Overseas Students.

John Dennehy

Ceist:

338 Mr. Dennehy asked the Minister for Education and Science if he expects a large number of students from Britain to come here to study in third level institutions, since the recent proposed increase in tuition fees in that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7202/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Under the terms of my Department's free fees initiative, tuition fees are payable in respect of eligible EU nationals who have been ordinarily resident in an EU member state for at least three of the five years preceding entry to their third level course. This condition applies equally to all EU nationals, in accordance with a judgment of the European Court of Justice that access to vocational training must apply equally to all EU nationals.

Under the terms of my Department's maintenance grant schemes grants are payable to candidates holding EU nationality who fulfil certain conditions pertaining to residence, nationality, means and previous academic attainment. To fulfil the residency requirement, a candidate's parents, or in the case of an independent mature candidate, the candidate herself or himself, must have been resident in the State from 1 October of the year prior to entry on an approved course. The awarding body has discretion to waive this requirement in exceptional circumstances.

Candidates who are EU nationals and who do not meet the residency requirement in the grants schemes are eligible to apply for a means tested fees only grant in respect of approved courses in third level institutions in this State, provided they have been ordinarily resident, for a purpose other than wholly or mainly to receive full-time education in an EU member state from 1 October of the year prior to entry to college. This provision mainly applies where the student in question does not qualify for free fees under the criteria set out in the free fees initiative.

It is not possible at this point to assess accurately the effects which the proposed increase in tuition fees in the UK will have in terms of increased applications from the UK for entry into third level courses in this State. My Department is currently undertaking a review of existing student support provisions with the aim of ensuring that the benefits of the substantial investment being made are maximised.