Written answers

Tuesday, 21 March 2006

Department of Education and Science

Third Level Fees

8:00 pm

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 772: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the cost to the Exchequer of abolishing third level fees for mature students and those taking part-time courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10477/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The most up-to-date costings on extending free fees to part-time students were compiled in 2002 by the task force on lifelong learning, which estimated at the time that the cost of extending free fees to part-time students in State-aided third level institutions and in Oscail and distance learning options in other third level colleges would be approximately €32.122 million per annum. I have no plans to extend the free tuition fees schemes to include part-time students. All students, mature or otherwise, who are first-time undergraduates and who hold EU nationality or official refugee status and have been ordinarily resident in an EU member state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course are eligible for free fees.

Section 473A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for tax relief on tuition fees at the standard rate in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education, including certain approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU and non-EU member states. Further details and IT 31 application forms for claiming tax relief on tuition fees are available from the Revenue Commissioners.

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