Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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1222. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an Irish citizen, who completed their second-level education abroad, in a non-EU country, who plans to return and pursue their third-level education in Ireland, will be eligible for the free fees initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24342/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety of factors including the type of course and the student's access route. The assessment of a student’s application and the determination of the appropriate fee rate is a function of the institution attended.

In terms of tuition fee supports, first time students undertaking a full-time undergraduate course may be eligible to have their tuition fees, exclusive of the student contribution, paid on their behalf via my Department's Free Fees Initiative. To avail of funding under the initiative students must meet the criteria of the scheme including the residency criterion.

In order to meet the residency requirements of the Free Fees Initiative a student must have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss/UK state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course.

The three out of five-year rule takes cognisance of students who wish to take time out to travel or work abroad. Such students can still meet the residency requirement if they have not been outside the countries referenced above for more than two of the previous five years. All students are required to meet the residency criteria of the scheme preceding their entry to an approved third level course.

Where students do not qualify for free fees funding, they must pay the appropriate fee as determined by each higher education institution. These institutions are autonomous bodies and the level of fee payable by students who do not meet the requirements of the Free Fees Initiative is a matter for the relevant institution to determine. Where a student requires guidance on the determination of such fees it is necessary that a student engage with the fees office of the institution attended.