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Third Level Fees

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2021

Thursday, 27 May 2021

Ceisteanna (244)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

244. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure justice for international students who have had their education in Ireland affected by the Covid-19 crisis but who are being refused refunds on any fees by the university, specifically in the case of a university (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28790/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Higher education institutions are autonomous institutions as provided for in legislation. The determination, as to the total level of fees to be charged for non EU students is a matter for each institution in accordance with its own particular operational conditions and circumstances in ensuring quality education provision.

Under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID all further and higher education institutions will deliver the majority of their classes online with only essential activities held on site. It would also not be feasible for student to undertake any planned international travel element of their chosen programme. While I appreciate that this is disappointing for students, these measures were necessary to support halting the spread of the Coronavirus.

Higher education institutions report that the actual cost of delivering such programmes has not reduced as a consequence of the pandemic and have experienced a range of additional costs in continuing to deliver programmes during the unique circumstances of the pandemic. In 2020 the Government has provided funding in the amount of €168m to support the return of students to further and higher education for the academic year 20/21. This included €150million in new funding and a re-prioritisation of €18million. For the Education providers under the remit of my Department, the allocation includes funding towards Support to Front line response; Immediate ICT costs relating to online provision; Health and Safety Costs; Research costs and funds towards assisting the enrolment of International Students

I am very aware of the difficulties facing students during this pandemic. In general there is a real requirement in these exceptional times to have a responsive approach to student needs wherever possible and it is important to acknowledge that HEIs have to date shown enormous willingness to be responsive in numerous ways. I would encourage all institutions to engage with students in relation to any issues, including fees.

Additional supports announced in July 2020 include a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education and an additional €3m provided for investment in supports for mental health services and well-being initiatives.

Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

Notwithstanding the above position, officials in my department and the HEA have sought additional information from University of Limerick who advise that “ Changes in university teaching delivery has had a significant impact on the costs and benefits of higher and adult education. First, it changes the nature of a university’s costs, reducing operational expenditure on utilities and services, but increasing the cost of IT services, staff training in new technologies and the provision of additional counselling and support services for students. On balance, the costs of higher education are higher in a blended model, and this has been reflected in additional government grants to universities.

The budgeting process and Masters programme pricing is completed by the Postgraduate Studies office in consultation with the faculty Deans. The eventual price of the Masters programme depends on a range of factors including the cost of delivery and the support structures including everything from administrative support to estate maintenance. The total fee after scholarships is approximately split 50/50 with central administration and the faculty. As an aside, scholarships for all programmes increased this year as a tacit acknowledgement of the impact of the pandemic. Within the Kemmy Business School, the fees received do not have a list of sub accounts where the monies are allocated to various costs.

The cost of the virtual workshop this year was significant and the time and effort put into the delivery of that workshop was equivalent or greater to the organisational effort for an international trip. For the KBS, the key task was to ensure that students achieved the learning outcomes as per our mandate from Higher Education Authority (HEA) and audited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). We are confident that these outcomes were achieved.

The cost of delivery between the international trip and virtual workshop or other alternatives cannot be distinguished. While it is true to say that some operational costs such as heat, light, etc. have decreased other costs have increased. These increased costs include considerable human and technological resources into pivoting to online delivery at very short notice. These costs are spread across the campus and it is not possible to allocate them to particular programmes.

Overall, responding to the pandemic has changed the way that we provide education, but it does not mean that either the cost of provision or the value of the student learning is diminished. Despite the very real challenges, we have continued to adapt our education delivery in order to teach, assess and graduate students with the same high qualifications and skills”.

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