Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 February 2023
178. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the case of a student (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5059/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn terms of tuition fee supports, full time undergraduate student may be eligible to have their tuition fees, exclusive of the student contribution, paid on their behalf via my Department's Free Fees Initiative. However, in order to qualify for funding under the Department's Free Fees Initiative, students must meet the criteria of the scheme, including with regard to previous education.
The scheme criteria include a provision that students who have previously pursued but have not completed a course of third level study and subsequently resume third level studies are not eligible for free fees for the equivalent period of time spent on the first course of study, where the third level course concerned was eligible to attract exchequer funding (e.g. fees, maintenance, tax relief, subsidy towards course cost).
A key principle of the design of the free fees initiative is to encourage progression, that is, to support students in progressing through a chosen course of study from year to year. As a result, students are not typically supported for a repeat period of study or for a different course at the same level. This criteria applies equally to all student.
Additional information on free fees initiative is available at the following location: hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/course-fees/
Where students do not qualify for free fees funding they must pay the appropriate fee - either EU or Non-EU, as determined by each higher education institution. These institutions are autonomous bodies and the level of fee payable by students who do not meet the requirements of the free fees scheme is a matter for the relevant institution to determine.
The assessment of a student’s application and the determination of the appropriate fee rate is a function of the institution attended. It is therefore not possible for my Department to provide details relating to individual applications and it is necessary for students to contact the institution attended for guidance on the fees applicable to a course of study.
