John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 634: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to reintroduce third level fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27662/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I have asked my officials to undertake a review of policy options relating to the introduction of a form of student contribution. There are many complex and competing considerations involved. These include considerations relating to institutional funding, family affordability, equity, participation and value for money for the taxpayer. However, it is an issue that merits consideration at this important juncture in the development of higher education and also given the current economic circumstances.

A technical report on the various options available has now been prepared to look at available models, drawing on experience with those that have operated internationally. This assesses the potential policy, cost and revenue impacts of various available approaches in an Irish context. I am now arranging to provide the completed technical report to my Cabinet colleagues for their initial consideration. I would envisage that this will be formally discussed at Cabinet at a later date. As the Deputy will appreciate, I do not wish to pre-empt any decisions of Government in relation to these matters.

I have already signalled that it is not my intention to recommend that any new form of student contribution should be introduced before 2010. In the event that 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 i.e. 2009.