Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

The economic circumstances of the country are such that the decision by the previous Government to introduce a new student contribution charge of €2,000 from this September cannot be reversed. The programme for Government commits the Government to implementing the decisions of the 2011 budget, which was passed by the last Dáil.

The new student contribution will replace the previous student services charge and will apply to students who qualify for free fees. The contribution will be paid by the Exchequer on behalf of student grant holders who last year amounted to some 46% of students in receipt of free fees. Conscious of financial pressures on families, an additional category, 50% student contribution, has been included in the student grants scheme. Tax relief provisions have also been put in place in order that second and subsequent siblings will not have to bear the full cost increase. Institutions have also been asked to allow students to pay the contribution in two parts.

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