Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a structured and graduated approach to assessing the incomes of college applicants and their families to determine a more progressive scale of annual college registration fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40626/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware the Student Contribution, which currently stands at €2,500, is payable by students who qualify under my Departments Free Fees Schemes. Students who qualify under my Department's student grant scheme have the contribution paid on their behalf by the Exchequer (some 40%).

Conscious of financial pressures on families tax relief provisions have been put in place so that second and subsequent siblings do not have to bear the full cost. An additional category of "50% Student Contribution" is also available under the student grants scheme to assist in meeting the cost. Higher Education Institutions, at my request, have provisions in place to allow students to pay the contribution in two moieties.

The HEA is undertaking a study on the sustainability of the current funding system for higher education. This study was initiated at my request and an initial report has been published. This report makes it clear that immediate work is required to prepare for a longer term approach to a system that can be maintained through a sustainable funding base which will be able to address the continual expansion of the sector while protecting the quality of education. The HEA is continuing its work in this area and I will be advised further as this work progresses. The report will help inform decision-making as to the future funding of the sector.