Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2013
103. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the review of eligibility under the free fees initiative will be completed, particularly in respect of the eligibility of free fees in the case whereby a student is given Irish citizenship during a course of study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14375/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware under the terms of my Department's Free Fee Initiative the Exchequer meets the cost of tuition fees in respect of eligible students who are pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of study which are a minimum of two years duration in an approved higher education institution. The main conditions of the scheme are that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold either EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. Eligibility under the scheme is determined at date of entry to the course of study.
Where undergraduate students do not meet the eligibility criteria of the free fees schemes, it is the higher education institution concerned that determines, in accordance with its criteria, the appropriate tuition fee payable by such students.
My Department is currently examining the issue of students who become naturalised in the state during the course of their studies and, due to the criterion applicable to the Free Fees Initiative, such students must continue to pay tuition fees. I expect that a decision will be made shortly in relation to this matter.
