Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware the student contribution increased to €2,250 for the current academic year. The full contribution is paid by the Exchequer in respect of students who qualify under the Department's student grant scheme. In addition, conscious of financial pressures on families, tax relief provisions have been put in place which provide for tax relief at the standard rate of tax for full-time fees in excess of €2,250. Finally, the Department, through the Higher Education Authority, HEA, has requested institutions to put arrangements in place whereby a student may pay the contribution in two instalments. I have been assured by the HEA that these arrangements are now in place. It is intended that the contribution will increase to €3,000 by 2015. All areas of Government spending are currently being examined and in that context, the Deputy will appreciate that in line with normal practice I am unable to comment on the budgetary process.

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