Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if, in cases of clear inability to pay, payment of the third level registration fee can be postponed pending receipt of the grant which does not come for some months after the registration payment deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15532/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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A new student contribution charge of €2,000 was introduced in higher education by the previous Government with effect from the 2011/2012 academic year. This charge replaced the previous Student Services Charge and applies to all students who currently benefit under the 'free fees' scheme. The contribution is paid by the Exchequer in respect of students who qualify under the third level grant schemes.

In August 2011 the Higher Education Authority (HEA) wrote to higher education institutions requesting that they show flexibility and consideration to students awaiting a decision on their grant application and/or payment of grants. At my Department's request the HEA sent a reminder to institutions in September 2011 again requesting that flexibility be shown to students who are awaiting a grant application decision. While I understand from the HEA that a small number of institutions were not in a position to offer this facility due to technical systems limitations, all institutions were requested to accommodate students who presented with financial difficulties on a case by case basis and, from the academic year 2012/13 onwards, to have systems in place that allow for the payment of the student contribution in instalments.