Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 220 of 3 July 2012. if he will reply to the question in relation to the details supplied. [33406/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I understand that this relates to a student who does not qualify for free fees and is being charged the non EU rate of fee as an international student.

As explained in my last reply higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and the criteria governing the level of tuition fees to be charged (EU or Non EU rate), in cases where undergraduate students do not qualify for free fees under my Departments free fees scheme, are a matter for the institutions to determine. The particular institution concerned sets their own criteria as to the rate of fees to apply and the issue as to whether the student in question qualifies for the EU or non EU rate is a matter for the fees office of the institution concerned.

I have no role in this matter however officials of my Department did make contact with the fees office of the institution concerned who confirmed that this student registered online and as he has a stamp 2 GNIB card was classified as an International student for the purposes of paying tuition fees at the non EU rate.