Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Power is already provided in the Universities Act 1997 to charge fees. The same wording is being used in this legislation. I am aware of the need for a broad debate on the funding of education. The report on the matter is almost complete and will be the topic of discussion at a future date. It should be noted that while universities have authority under legislation to set their own fees, the Department of Education and Skills can only provide grants in lieu of tuition fees funding based on fee level increases agreed with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This will also be the position in the case of the technological universities. In this legislation we are only doing what is already provided for in the universities legislation. The issue of fees generally is one for discussion at a future date.