Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 520: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his policy regarding the steady increase in college registration fees over recent years; his views on a ceiling beyond which this universal charge should not go; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24912/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The student services charge is levied by third level institutions to defray the costs of examinations, registration and students services. These services may include on-campus medical and counselling facilities for students, access and disability services, careers office, student facilities, student clubs and societies etc. This charge of €900 for 2008/09 academic year does not represent the total allocation made towards student services from institutions' budgets.

The Government is willing to accept increases in the Student Services Charge to bring it to up to a limit of €1,500 (from €900) for the 2009/10 academic year in individual higher education institutions. The increase in the charge would have the effect of bringing the amount contributed by students more into line with the cost of providing services. This increase of up to €600 is agreed on the understanding that the revenue generated by the level of increase to be adopted by each institution is required to defray the cost of items that fall to be funded by the student services charge.

All students who are eligible for means-tested student grants have the student services charge paid on their behalf by the relevant local authority or VEC, in addition to any maintenance or tuition fee grant to which they are entitled. For the academic year 2008/09, the reckonable income limit applying under the student grant schemes is €49,690 where the number of dependent children in the student's family is three or less, increasing to €59,280 where the number of dependent children in the student's family is eight or more. In addition, where two or more children are pursuing an approved course at the same time, the reckonable income limit may be increased by €4,815 for each additional child.