Written answers

Thursday, 16 December 2010

Department of Education and Science

College Registration Fees

5:00 am

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 30: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will reverse the decision in Budget 2011 to increase the student registration fee to €2,000; her views on whether this fee will adversely affect persons' ability to attend third level courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47673/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As announced in the budget, a new flat Higher Education Student Contribution of €2,000 will be introduced with effect from the 2011/2012 academic year. This new student contribution will replace the existing Student Services Charge and will apply to all students who currently benefit under the 'free fees' scheme. The Government was particularly conscious of the financial pressures that this charge may place on families where family income is marginally in excess of current eligibility levels for maintenance grant support and on families with more than one sibling in higher education at the same time. With this in mind, the current higher education grants schemes threshold will be increased to provide for an additional eligibility category of support qualifying for '50% Student Contribution'. In addition, arrangements will be made to provide that second and subsequent siblings from a single family will not have to bear the full increased cost of the new €2,000 charge.

It is also important to remember that the contribution will be paid by the Exchequer in respect of students who qualify under the third level grant schemes. These students, who account for some 43% of all undergraduates, will not be impacted by any increase in charges.

Higher education institutions will also be asked to put in place arrangements under which a student may opt to pay the charge in two equal instalments of 50% in September and 50% in January in a given academic year.

Participation growth in Irish higher education has been significant over the past three decades, with the number of new entrants almost trebling in that period. The expansion of higher education opportunities continues to be an important policy priority for government. In the last three years higher education institutions have sought to respond to the increases in demand from school leavers and adults returning to education, including unemployed people, by increasing the number of full time places they offer and also by expanding part time and other flexible types of provision.

It should also be recognised that for students affordability is just one of a number of factors that impact on participation rates in higher education. There are a range of wider factors that also impact on participation, including social and cultural issues, prior academic attainment and teacher and parental expectations.

The Government is committed to ensuring that opportunities to engage in higher education continue to be made available to potential learners and that access to higher education will continue to be determined by a student's ability and not their financial circumstances.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.