Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 614: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the third level registration fee was introduced; the justification given at the time for its introduction; the original intention of the moneys raised by the registration fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7991/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, prior to the introduction of the free fees initiative, the standard practice had been that the charge for examinations, registration and student services was included with the tuition fee as a single payment.

In acknowledgement of the variation in the arrangements that existed in the colleges, a standardised charge was levied by the third level institutions, in the context of the introduction of the free fees initiative in the 1995/96 academic year, to defray the costs of examinations, registration and students services. The distribution of the charge payable by students was a matter for the individual third level institutions. In that regard, to enhance systems of consultation with students, the Higher Education Authority issued in early 1998 a Framework of Good Practice for the Provision of Student Services to the publicly funded higher education institutions that consists of guidelines with particular emphasis on principles of transparency and accountability.

All students who are eligible for maintenance grants under the means tested student support schemes do not have to pay this charge as it is paid on their behalf by the Local Authorities or the Vocational Education Committees.