Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 February 2024
335. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9847/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies; responsible for assessing student applications and determining the tuition fee payable by individual students. In this regard, as the Deputy will appreciate, it is not possible for my Department to offer guidance on the fee arrangements that may apply for individual students, such as those that may apply in the case raised by the Deputy, or to intervene in the fee policy of the institution.
In considering the position, I can advise that the tuition fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the fee rates of a particular institution. Typically there are two rates of fee, an ‘EU’ and a ‘Non-EU’ (sometimes referred to an International) rate of fee for each course. The institution’s criteria typically include specified nationality and/or residency requirements that students would be expected to meet to qualify for the EU rate of fee.
As noted above, it is the Higher Education Institutions themselves that assess student applications and the institution attended will therefore determine the applicable rate of tuition fee. Where a student requires clarification or guidance on the fee criteria of an individual institution, and how this criteria may apply to their individual circumstances, I recommend the student contacts the fees office of the relevant institution.
