Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. The higher education tuition fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the type of course and the student's access route. The assessment of a student’s application and the determination of the appropriate fee rate is a function of the institution attended.

Typically there are two rates of fee, an EU rate of fee or a non-EU rate of tuition fee. Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs. This includes setting the criteria a person must meet to be regarded as an EU or a non-EU tuition fee student. The criteria may vary by institution. I understand that an institution’s criteria will generally include specified nationality and-or residency requirements that students would be expected to meet to qualify for the EU rate of fee.

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is not possible for the Department to intervene in the fee policy of the institutions or to advise on the specific criteria of individual institutions. Where a student has a query about an institution's EU or non-EU fee policy, they can of course engage directly with the institution involved. If the Deputy so wishes, he can give me the details.

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