Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his proposals in relation to the funding of the third level sector; if he proposes the reintroduction of third level fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7207/09]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount of capital his Department envisages would be required to fund a loan scheme for students to attend third level education and pay the higher fees he intends to introduce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7908/09]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his proposals in relation to the proposed reintroduction of third level fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7860/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 60 and 61 together.

The issue of the re-introduction of third level fees, to which the Deputies refer, should be viewed in the context of the wider funding of higher education. The Government is investing unprecedented levels of public funding in higher education. In 2009 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 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 including costs that will fall to be taken into account by the Government in considering the available options. It is my intention, following completion of the review currently underway, to bring proposals to Government in relation to the available options.