Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:64 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is intended to increase the third level registration fee for the 2003-04 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10187/03]
Written Answers. - Third Level Fees.
There are no proposals under consideration at present to increase the student services charge for the 2003-04 academic year. Section 40 of the Universities Act 1997 provides that a university can determine and charge fees of such amounts for student registration, courses, lectures, examinations, exhibitions or any other event, service or publication held or provided at or by, or produced by, the university. The Higher Education Authority can review the fees charged or proposed to be charged by the universities for student registration and courses and for lectures and examinations relating to those courses.
Arising from such a review, the authority may, following consultation with the Minister, advise the universities on the fees which in its opinion should be charged. In the event that the universities propose an increase in the charge for the 2003-04 academic year, the procedure outlined above will be observed. As the Deputy is aware, the wider issues around student contributions to the cost of third level education are under review at present and any proposal to increase the third level registration fee for the 2003-04 academic year would have to be considered in that wider context.