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Third Level Fees

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2012

Thursday, 3 May 2012

Ceisteanna (101, 102, 103, 104)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

99 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the continuation of the fee remissions schemes for the children of university staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22366/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

100 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total cost of the fee remissions scheme in each university in each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22367/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

101 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the fee remissions scheme for the children of university staff is being considered as part of the review of public service allowances being carried out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22368/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

102 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of young persons who are the children of university staff who benefitted from the fee remissions scheme in each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22369/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 to 102, inclusive, together.

The fee remission scheme for family members of full time employees of universities is a historical one which was sought to be discontinued by Government in 1982. Following a claim on behalf of affected staff, the Labour Court issued a recommendation in May 1986 stating that arrangements for existing staff should continue. In making this recommendation the Labour Court stated that it had been influenced by the fact that concessions in the matter of fees were either expressed or implied terms of the conditions of employment of the staff concerned over many years. In relation to new staff the Labour Court recommended that all parties should enter into detailed discussions on the matter. Following this recommendation a Conciliation Conference took place in 1991 with agreement reached that while the fee remission scheme would apply to those employed prior to September 1992 it would not apply to staff recruited after that date.

Details in relation to the costs and the numbers who benefited under the scheme are not readily available in my Department. I have asked the Higher Education Authority to contact each institution concerned seeking such details and I will arrange to have same forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

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