Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 473: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding college maintenance grants for 2009; the position regarding college fees for 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25647/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Criteria for the 2009 maintenance grant schemes are under review at present. Decisions on the 2009 schemes will be announced as soon as the process is completed. I presume the Deputy is referring to free tuition fees. As the Deputy will be aware, I am currently finalising a review of policy options relating to the introduction of a form of student contribution. There are many complex and competing considerations including costs, affordability and value for money for the taxpayer which will be taken into account by the Government in considering the available options. I will be providing the technical report to my Cabinet colleagues for consideration in the near future. I have already signalled that I do not intend to recommend that any new form of student contribution should be introduced before 2010. If it is decided to introduce a form of student contribution from a future point, such arrangements would also apply, from that time, to those students who would have entered higher education this year, 2009.