Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

194. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will request UCD to accede to the demands of certain master's degree student for a 30% fee cut given the abnormal circumstances of the academic year and financial pressure on their parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4589/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the student's access route including previous education.

Higher education institutions are autonomous institutions as provided for in legislation. The determination, as to the total level of fees to be charged for postgraduate course is a matter for each institution in accordance with its own particular operational conditions and circumstances in ensuring quality education provision.

Higher education institutions report that the actual cost of delivering such programmes has not reduced as a consequence of the pandemic and have experienced a range of additional costs in continuing to deliver programmes during the unique circumstances of the pandemic.

I am very aware of the difficulties facing students during this pandemic. In general there is a real requirement in these exceptional times to have a responsive approach to student needs wherever possible and it is important to acknowledge that HEIs have to date shown enormous willingness to be responsive in numerous ways. I would encourage all students to engage with their institution to discuss any issues in relation to their course, including fees.

In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students, financial assistance will be provided in academic year 2020/21 to all students who avail of SUSI grants and to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state.

Under this initiative students who avail of the SUSI grant will receive a €250 top-up in their grant and students who do not avail of the grant but attend publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state can reduce by €250 any outstanding student contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution.

This builds on the additional supports announced in July including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education and an additional €3m provided for investment in supports for mental health services and well-being initiatives.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

195. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a return of service arrangement for those studying graduate entry medicine allowing for a waiving of student fees in return for working in the HSE for a set period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4716/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Matters relating to the introduction of a scheme to provide for tuition fee funding to students in return for future clinical years in the HSE is matter for the Department of Health.

It is important to reflect upon the supports provided to students and the basis of the fees charged by institutions. The fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the student's access route including previous education. Entry to medicine in Irish HEIs is provided through both undergraduate and graduate entry routes.

Under the Department's Free Fees Initiative, the Exchequer pays tuition fees on behalf of eligible first time undergraduate students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses (including medicine courses). In order to qualify for funding under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative, students must meet the criteria of the scheme including previous education attainment.

Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is one of the pathways to study undergraduate medicine. One of the recommendations of the Fottrell report (2006) was the introduction of a new graduate entry medicine programme (GEM). Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants.

However, in order to widen access to GEM programmes, and give assistance towards the financial burden on each student pursuing these programmes, the fees of participating EU students are partly subsidised by the State via the HEA. Currently, the subsidy is €11,200 per student (2019/20 academic year) with the balance of fees payable by the student.

Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including the management of academic affairs. They retain the right to determine their own policies and procedures. The total level of fees to be charged in the case of GEM fees are therefore solely a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria. As I have referenced above, the provision of a scheme linked to future clinical years working in the HSE is a matter for the Department of Health to consider.