Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will abolish higher education fees for part-time adult learners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19186/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I take it the Deputy's question relates to fees for part-time students undertaking undergraduate courses at our higher education institutions funded by the State.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Towards 2016 agreement contains a commitment to put in place a targeted scheme to alleviate the fees in public institutions for part-time courses at third level for those at work who have not previously pursued a third level qualification. The Higher Education Authority, in consultation with my Department, is currently developing a scheme in response to this commitment.

Building on the commitment in Towards 2016, the Programme for Government also includes a commitment to introduce a more extensive new system of means-tested free fees, with a view to enabling more people with work or family commitments to avail of opportunities at third level. I will, over the coming months, look at how to develop this Programme commitment against the backdrop of the 2016 initiative.