In considering this matter it is important to consider that any fees collected by institutions, including the student contribution, form part of the total income utilised towards the overall operation of the institutions. Appropriate budgetary processes require prudent financial planning including the implementation of processes that support the institutions in receiving income in a timely manner as part of managing their cash flow requirements.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are governed by the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technologies Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Within the meaning of these Acts, HEIs are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs including dealing with policy and procedure in relation to the collection of any fees.
Under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative (FFI), the Exchequer provides a grant in lieu of tuitions fees costs for eligible undergraduate higher education students. All students eligible for the scheme receive state support whereby the Exchequer pays the cost of tuition fees exclusive of the student contribution. The student contribution applies annually to all FFI eligible students and the current rate is €3,000 per annum. In addition, many students have all or part of the student contribution paid on their behalf by the state via the Student Grant Scheme. In 2020/21 approximately 45% of students eligible for free fees had all or part of their student contribution funding paid on their behalf through student support grants.
My Department has previously requested that higher education institutions put in place arrangements to facilitate the payment of the student contribution in instalments. The standard payment instalment option of payment in two moieties and aligned with the two semesters of the academic year.
It is also important to note that individual higher education institutions, including DKIT, may offer a facility to pay fees in instalments. As autonomous bodies the institutions are responsible for implementation of policy and procedure in relation to the collection of the student contribution outside the general scheme of payment in two moieties.
Notwithstanding the above position, I am very aware of the difficulties facing students following on from the impact of the pandemic and the increased costs of living. 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 any student in need of assistance to engage with their institution to discuss the range of options and supports available for their course, including fees.
For any student experiencing difficulties currently, there is a significant allocation to the Student Assistance Fund and I would encourage students to contact their access offices to avail of these funds.
