Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 1774: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the actual costed revenue raising potential of the reintroduction of school fees in view of various conflicting reports in the media; his views on whether the figures involved are worth the introduction of such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31086/08]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 1775: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the education community outside of the third level sector believes that even a very targeted fee system is actually a wedge for the extension of the scheme to those on lower incomes down the line; if he has carried out a cost-benefit analysis to find out whether such funds could be obtained through the existing tax system by making sure higher earners pay their fair share of tax by closing down loopholes and so on; his views on whether the benefits of third level education accrue to more than just the individual receiving the education and in this context make penalising a small cohort born at the wrong time fiscally imprudent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31087/08]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 1776: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no mention of third level fees in the programme for Government and that it is likely that such a proposal will be opposed by some members of the Government and by the Joint Committee on Education and Science; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31088/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1774 to 1776, inclusive, together.

The issue of the re-introduction of third level fees should be viewed in the context of a wider debate on the funding of higher education. As the Deputy will be aware, I have indicated my intention to produce a new strategy for higher education that will provide a vision and strategic direction for the future development of the sector in contributing to Ireland's economic and social development. In developing that strategy, it is appropriate that we examine how well our higher education system is performing currently, how existing resources are being used and how the system can be best supported to meet the challenges that lie ahead. The agreement of the Government will be sought on the draft terms of reference for the strategy which is expected to take some eighteen months to complete. The Government is investing unprecedented levels of public funding in higher education. In 2008 some €2 billion is being invested in our third level sector. In contributing to the achievement of national policy goals for social and economic development, it can be anticipated that there will be continuing significant resource needs for the sector. It is appropriate, however, to raise questions around how future additional resource needs can be met and how our higher education institutions can be supported in their development ambitions through a widening of their non-exchequer sources of income.

The introduction of a form of student contribution, which would only be applied to those who can absolutely afford to pay it, is one possibility that merits debate. In that regard, there are many complex and competing considerations that will fall to be taken into account in the estimation of revenue that might accrue from such an introduction. Any move towards the introduction of a student contribution in some form would require Government approval.

In shaping a new strategy for higher education, we have an important opportunity to set the sector on direction of development and change that will serve vital national economic and social interests in to the future. I look forward to engaging constructively with the sector and all of the wider interests in addressing some of these major policy issues.