Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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726. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if consideration has been given to recognising other proof of residence for fee status classification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53145/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The higher education tuition 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.

There are typically two rates of fee, an EU Rate or a non-EU fee rate. Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs. This includes the criteria regarding the residency requirements a person must meet to be regarded as an EU or a Non-EU tuition fee student within the relevant institution's own tuition fee policies.

The criteria may vary by institution and I understand that an institution’s criteria will generally include specified nationality and/or residency requirements that students would be expected to meet to qualify for the EU rate of fee. My department does not have a role in prescribing the forms of proof of residency that an institution may accept.

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is not possible for my Department to intervene in the fee policy of any autonomous institution. Where a student has a query in relation to an institution's fee policy, they should contact the institution directly for advice appropriate to their own individual circumstances. Direct engagement will offer students an opportunity to understand the determination of the institution and provide a basis for the student to provide additional information to the institution as appropriate to assist the institution in determining the appropriate fee rate.