Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2012
50. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that third level students and their families are not levied with a further increase in the student contribution fee in 2013; if he has examined alternative savings in the third level sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43236/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the student contribution increased to €2,250 for the current academic year. The full contribution is paid by the Exchequer in respect of students who qualify under the Department's student grant scheme. In addition, conscious of financial pressures on families, tax relief provisions have been put in place which provide for tax relief at the standard rate of tax for full-time fees in excess of €2,250. Finally, the Department, through the Higher Education Authority, HEA, has requested institutions to put arrangements in place whereby a student may pay the contribution in two instalments. I have been assured by the HEA that these arrangements are now in place. It is intended that the contribution will increase to €3,000 by 2015. All areas of Government spending are currently being examined and in that context, the Deputy will appreciate that in line with normal practice I am unable to comment on the budgetary process.
I note that the Minister confirmed before the Dáil today, as he did recently at an education committee meeting, that it is his intention to increase the student contribution fee to €3,000. That is a shameful position the Minister is now taking in government. Just a month before the election campaign the Minister participated in a photo call with the Union of Students in Ireland, in which he signed up to its campaign, "Your Future, Your Vote". Students pledged their vote in return for a commitment by the Minister on student registration fees. He promised them that under a Labour Party Government – the Minister went on to become Minister for Education and Skills, having been spokesperson for education at the time – there would be no increase in registration fees.
In addition, the Minister promised to reverse the €500 increase that was introduced that year. Yet now we hear the Minister state his intention to increase that sum to €3,000, thereby completely breaking the pledge he gave to students at that time.
A question, please.
Will the Minister do a very simple thing and keep the promise he made to students in the full knowledge of the economic environment at the time? He stated one thing four weeks before he got into government, but now he is saying "Sorry, guys, it's going to go up to €3,000, and do you know what? I feel bad about it". Feeling bad about it is not a good enough response to students. What they, and I, want him to do is to keep the promises he made to them, which formed the basis on which he was elected.
The Deputy is right. I signed the pledge on behalf of the Labour Party as the party's spokesperson on education during the campaign for the last general election. That pledge and that commitment did not make it into the programme for Government that was negotiated between my party and Fine Gael. As Minister for Education and Skills, I have a responsibility to implement the programme for Government, and that is what I am doing. I have to ensure that students who want to go to college can get there. What I have stated frequently is that there should be no financial barrier for a student who wants to go to college. That is why 42% of all students doing undergraduate courses are on some form of grant, which means not only that they may have a maintenance grant but that they do not have to pay the fee in the first instance.
I am sorry, but the Minister's response does not add up. He was the Opposition spokesperson on education-----
Labour Party spokesperson.
He was the spokesperson on education for the Labour Party in Opposition. He did not in any way qualify what he stated at that time but promised the sun, moon and stars. He said it would be no problem under the Labour Party. He told students that if he were Minister for Education and Skills, not only would there be no increase in student registration fees but he would undo the increases that had already occurred. Yet now, in government, he has the audacity to come into the Chamber and say the paper he signed counted for nothing. He did not tell that to the students before the election; he promised them whatever it would take in order for him to get their vote. What the Minister should do now is to stand by his own principles. As Minister for Education and Skills, he should stick to his promises and not increase the registration fee this year.
I thank the Deputy for his advice. I intend to proceed as Minister for Education and Skills and implement the course of policy for which I have a mandate from the Cabinet through the programme for Government.
As Deputy Stephen Donnelly is not in the Chamber, we will move on.
