Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if post leaving certificate courses will involve a registration fee of €200; if the registration fee will be fixed at its current level; if the current funding levels in the higher education sector will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27496/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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In relation to Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses, Budget 2011 provided for the introduction of a €200 annual PLC programme participant contribution, with effect from this September (the 2011/2012 academic year). Decisions in relation to such funding matters are generally made as part of the annual Estimates process.

Full medical card holders (in their own right and their dependent children), those eligible under the student grant scheme and those in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) or Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) allowances are exempt from paying the contribution, which should ensure that those who are less well off will continue to access PLC courses.

In relation to funding levels in higher education, future demand for participation growth needs to be reconciled with limitations on public resources and a need to protect and enhance core quality. The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 identifies the need for more detailed analysis and the Higher Education Authority has been asked to undertake further work on the sustainability of the existing funding framework, the intention of which is to assess the inter-relationship and tensions between three parameters of: growth in student numbers, funding constraints and quality. This work will inform consideration by Government of policy options in relation to future funding of the sector.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that all students will be allowed to pay the student contribution in instalments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27500/11]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that not all third level institutions are offering the option for students to pay their registration fees in two instalments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27506/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 246 together.

A new student contribution of €2,000 was introduced in higher education institutions with effect from the 2011/12 academic year. The student contribution replaces the Student Services Charge and applies to all students who benefit under the free fees scheme.

In recognition of the financial pressures that the student contribution may place on families, my Department requested higher education institutions to consider putting in place arrangements under which a student may opt to pay the student contribution charge in two instalments in a given academic year. I have again asked the Higher Education Authority to request institutions to allow the payment of the charge in two moieties.

I understand that a few institutions do not have this facility at present due to technical/systems limitations and administrative issues that make it impractical to allow for payment by instalments. However, all institutions have been requested to accommodate students who present with financial difficulties on a case by case basis and, from the academic year 2012/13 onwards, to have systems in place that allow for the payment of the student contribution in two instalments.