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Third Level Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 November 2012

Tuesday, 13 November 2012

Ceisteanna (262, 263, 264, 292)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

262. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a breakdown of postgraduate fees being charged in each university in 2012 and the details of fees in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49564/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

263. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether the 2% cut in core funding for the higher education sector implemented as part of Budget 2012 has been passed on to students in the form of increased postgraduate fees this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49565/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

264. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there has been an increase in postgraduate fees this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49566/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

292. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the postgraduate fees schedule for non EU and EU students for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49952/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 262 to 264, inclusive, and 292 together. As the Deputy will be aware my Department provides recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) who then allocates an annual core recurrent grant to each institution and it is a matter for the institution to determine how this funding is allocated internally. Higher education institutions, including Universities, are autonomous bodies and the criteria governing the level of tuition fees to be charged in the case of postgraduate study is a matter for the institutions to determine and I have no role in relation to the matter and accordingly my Department does not have the statistical data in relation to such fees as sought by the Deputy however I am aware that each institution sets out their courses and fees on their websites. The reality of the economic situation and the public expenditure corrections which must be made in the coming years present challenges across all areas of public expenditure, including higher education. The HEA, at my request, is also undertaking a study on the sustainability of the current funding system for higher education. An initial report was published last year, and the HEA is continuing its work in this area.

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