Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on the introduction of an Australian style loan system in order to pay for third level fees; his further views on the opinion of a group (details supplied) that such a system acts as a major disincentive on potential students to pursue third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38004/08]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 447: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide the details of the Higher Education Authority's study into the amount of income a reintroduction of third level fees would generate; the income thresholds upon which such figures are based; if the figures generated by a person (details supplied) on this topic are correct; the amount of direct Exchequer funding his Department will save if fees are re-introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38026/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 447 together.

The issue of the re-introduction of third level fees should be viewed in the context of the wider funding of higher education.

As the Deputy will be aware, 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 into the future, it can be anticipated that there will be continuing significant resource needs for the sector. It is appropriate to raise questions around how future additional resource needs can be met and in particular 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 afford to pay it, is one possibility that merits debate.

My Department, with the assistance of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), is at present conducting a review of policy options relating to the introduction of a form of student contribution. In this regard a range of options are being examined, including possibilities for alternative means of imposing a student contribution such as an income contingent loans system. There are many complex and competing considerations that will fall to be taken into account by the Government in considering the available options. In this regard, the revenue that might accrue from the introduction of fees is contingent on a range of variables relating to the various options under examination. Whilst relevant published reports will also inform the review underway, the specific work referred to by the Deputy does not form part of this review. It is my intention, following completion of the review currently underway, to bring proposals to Government in relation to the available options.