I propose to take Questions Nos. 358, 429, and 674 together.
The student charge is levied by third level institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and student services. On 13 November 2003 I announced, as part of the 2004 Estimates for my Department, that the student charge will increase from €670 to €750 for the 2004-05 academic year. It is not the case that this charge applies irrespective of means. All students who are eligible for means tested student support have the student charge paid on their behalf by the local authorities or the vocational educationcommittees, in addition to their other entitlements.