Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2004
67 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the level of the charge for third level registration for 1997 and each successive year; the reason he has decided to increase the charge again, in view of the financial difficulties that many students and their families face; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5249/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra98 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if there are early plans to increase student registration fees or reintroduce third level fees for the 2004/2005 college year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5227/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 98 together.
The student charge is levied by third level institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and student services, which continue to be incurred by the third level institutions. On 13 November 2003 I announced, as part of my Department's 2004 Estimates, that the student charge will increase from €670 to a proposed level of €750. It has to be remembered that students who are eligible for means tested student support have the student charge paid on their behalf by the local authorities or the vocational education committees, in addition to any grant to which they are entitled. No student, where the family income is at or less than €40,000 will pay this charge. The student charge is paid by the students on an academic year basis. The level of the charge for each year since its introduction in 1997 was 1997-98, €317; 1998-99, €330; 1999-2000 €353; 2000-01, €371; 2001-02, €396; 2002-03, €670; 2003-04, €670; and the proposed level in 2004-05 is €750. I have no plans to reintroduce third level tuition fees for the 2004-05 academic year.
