Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views on the fact that a proposed increase in the student registration fee will restrict participation levels at third level; when she plans to publish the Colin Hunt report on the future of the third level sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41601/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, I am not in a position to comment on budgetary proposals. Speculation on any decision in respect of student registration fees is just that - speculation.

The student services charge is levied by the higher education institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and student services. Students eligible under the means-tested student grant schemes are not obliged to pay this charge. It is paid on their behalf under my Department's student grant schemes in addition to any maintenance grant and tuition fee support to which they are entitled. Some 43% of undergraduate students fall into this category and do not pay the charge. The Government is conscious, however, that for those in income groups just above the grant eligibility threshold, any increase in the charge would be an important affordability consideration. Research indicates that a range of complex factors which extend beyond financial barriers - such as societal and cultural issues, parental and teacher expectations and previous academic attainment - also have an impact on the participation rate of various income groups.

The growth in participation in higher education has been significant during the past three decades, with the number of new entrants almost trebling in that period. The expansion of higher education opportunities continues to be an important policy priority for the Government. In the past three years, higher education institutions have sought to respond to the increases in demand from school leavers and adults returning to education, including unemployed people, by increasing the number of full-time places on offer and also by expanding part time and other flexible types of provision. The Government is committed to ensuring that opportunities to engage in higher education continue to be made available to potential learners and that access to higher education will continue to be determined by a student's ability and not his or her financial circumstances.

A key challenge for the development of the sector will be in enabling it to meet future demand on a sustainable funding basis, without compromising on quality. A widening of the funding base for the sector - to reduce the relatively high level of dependence on the Exchequer - is one of the issues to be considered in that context. The terms of reference for the high level group which was established to develop proposals for a new national strategy for higher education provided for an extensive examination of all issues relating to the future development of the higher education sector. The group has now completed its work and I am consulting my Government colleagues in respect of the report. The timeframe for publication of the report will be decided in that context.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Is it not the case that the Minister has been in possession of the Hunt report for at least two months, if not longer? Is it not also the case that issues relating to the report and the reform of third level education have been published in The Irish Times in particular? It is a disgrace that Members are not in a position to give their full consideration to this issue. In light of what the Tánaiste stated, the matter will not be considered in the House until the long consultation process is brought to an end.

Is it not the case that the incomes which families have which determine whether young people can attend university? There has been a significant and adverse change of means in hundreds of thousands of homes as a result of the unemployment brought about by the Government's policies. Notwithstanding the agreement between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, will the Tánaiste indicate how much the Government intends to raise through the proposed increase in the student registration fee?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As stated in the reply to the Deputy's parliamentary question, I am not in a position to deal with the budgetary discussions that are taking place at present. That is unfair to our colleagues-----

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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It is unfair to the country.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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-----and it is only leading to speculation. Second, I agree with the Deputy that it is totally inappropriate that someone might leak certain parts of a document without the Government or Members of the House being informed. The Government is currently considering the matter. I have completed the normal Government processes whereby I asked my colleagues for their views to be brought back to Cabinet for consideration and it will then go to the Oireachtas which is the more appropriate way in which these matters can be dealt with, as opposed to mere speculation and leaks in the newspapers. It shows no regard for the Government or the House

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The facts are that the document has been leaked by somebody who is very close to it, either in the Tánaiste's Department or the Hunt commission because I have been briefed on its alleged contents by people up and down the country. The Tánaiste is trying to change public opinion without telling us what the facts are. The McCarthy report identified €271 million of potential cuts which could take place in the third level budget. How many of those cuts has the Tánaiste put in place since last year? Is it not a fact that there are significant issues around contact times between lecturers and students?

According to the McCarthy report savings of €140 million could be made. If some of the institutions were rationalised €9.2 million could be saved. There is a list of savings, none of which the Tánaiste referred to in her reply. The people who will pay for the inefficiencies in third level education will be parents or young people who will have to borrow money they cannot pay back. The key point, which the information the Tánaiste has and research shows, is the fact that people cannot afford to pay is a factor in then not going to third level education. The Tánaiste is putting an extra penalty on such people as a result of the Government's decision.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should tell me if he was allegedly briefed or briefed one way or the other.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I have not seen the report.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I cannot deal with an allegation of which I am not aware.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Allow the Tánaiste to reply to the question.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is important to say that there are 69,000 people who are eligible for grant aid and support out of the 157,000 people who are attending higher education. In my response I indicated that there is a cohort of people over and above the eligibility criteria who have found it difficult in some circumstances. We should differentiate the question the Deputy asked which concerned the budgetary process, a question which I am not in a position to answer, and the future of higher education, which will include where the synergies need to be. When we refer to the Croke Park agreement, central to this will be the issue of contact time with students.

We have invested considerably in research and development and have involved people of the highest calibre in the world. Their expertise should be shared at undergraduate as well as postgraduate level. It is all about quality of education and making sure that in certain circumstances the educational opportunities are in place and are fit for purpose for a modern economy. The Hunt report was commissioned because we have not had a third level strategy. It has mushroomed. There will be a 20 year strategy for the future development of higher education in Ireland. It will take change and will have challenges but it is the best we can provide.