Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 202: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the average cost to the State of educating a university student; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3353/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Due to the varied costs associated with undergraduate courses, my Department does not have an overall unit cost per student. However the estimated average recurrent cost to the State for the more common undergraduate courses of arts, business, science and engineering is €7,000 per student per year. The average recurrent cost to the State of training a university graduate in these areas on a four year degree course is, therefore, estimated at €28,000. As higher costs are associated with some courses, the unit costs to the State are higher. For example, the estimated unit cost per student to the State in respect of medicine is €8,500 per annum. These figures do not take account of the substantial capital costs incurred by the State in the provision of university facilities.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 203: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the average cost to the State of educating an institute of technology student; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3354/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A unit cost system of allocating funds to the institutes of technology has not been developed. The annual budget for each institute of technology is at present allocated on the basis of its total pay and non-pay requirements following consideration of its annual programmes and budget submission which is required under the RTC-DIT Acts. The allocation takes into account the complexity of the institute, the range of courses and facilities offered to students, the total number of students, both full-time and part-time, and the nature of the infrastructure. Decisions on the allocations also have regard to Government policy and priorities.