Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

233. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her Department's estimates for the amount of extra revenue that will accrue to universities, colleges and institutes of technology in 2016, as a result of the increase in the student contribution fees to €3,000 for free-fee students. [25477/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There were some 129,300 students in receipt of free fees funding in the academic year 2013/14. Based on this figure the total additional revenue that will be generated by Higher Education Institutions as a result of the increase in the Student Contribution from €2,750 to €3,000 for the 2015/16 academic year will be some €32m. This additional income is taken into account in the overall level of funding provided to the higher education sector.

As the Deputy will be aware the Contribution is paid by the Exchequer in respect of those students who qualify under my Department's Student Grant Scheme - some 50% of students who qualify for free fees funding have the Contribution paid on their behalf.