Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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507. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports that are available to students who have recommenced first year at universities after difficulties with Covid-19 in 2020; if there is standard guidance to universities; if his attention has been drawn to reports of some institutions charging full tuition fees such as in the case of a person (details supplied) whereas others are only charging the student registration fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47679/21]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative (FFI), the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students. All students eligible for the scheme receive state support whereby the Exchequer pays the cost of tuition fees exclusive of the student contribution.

Under the terms of the FFI, tuition fee funding is not typically provided for any repeat period of study at the same year level.

Cognisant of the leaving certificate 2020 process, arrangements have been put in place to extend the scheme criteria to allow for a repeat period of study in 21/22 where a FFI eligible student receives an uplifted deferred place having sat the 2020 exams.

This extension applies to 20/21 free fees eligible students:

- that started in year one of an undergraduate course in 20/21 based on 2020 calculated grades;

- the student subsequently receives an uplifted deferred place for the 21/22 academic year (based on the 2020 CAO application) having sat the 2020 Leaving Certificate examinations;

- departs their original course and transfers to their new higher choice course of study in 2021/2022.

Free fees eligible students who transfer courses in 2021/2022, in the circumstances outlined above, will remain eligible for free fees for the second period of study and Higher Education Institutions have been advised of the position.

An individual student's eligibility for the scheme, is assessed by the institution in accordance with the terms of the scheme and the covid exemptions authorised by my Department. Where an institution determines a student is not eligible for free fees the student should be advised of the reason for such a determination. A student can appeal the decision of an institution directly with the institution in relation to their application.

Where undergraduate students do not meet the qualifying criteria for the scheme in order to qualify for funding under the Free Fees Initiative they are required to pay tuition fees in full to their higher education institution. It is a matter for the higher education institution as an autonomous body to determine the applicable fee rate for students.

If following appeal to the institution the student considers that the terms of scheme have been unfairly applied, the student can request the Institute to liaise with the HEA and my Department Officials to establish the correct interpretation of the qualifying criteria of the Free Fees Scheme.