Third Level Fees

Tuesday, 22 October 2024

Questions (859)

Colm Burke

Question:

859. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration would be given to altering the requirements Irish citizens need to fulfil in order to qualify for Irish or EU fee rates in universities, as many Irish parents who work outside of Europe are required to have their children attend school or reside in Ireland for three of the five years before attending college in order qualify for Irish or EU fee rates, which is not feasible in some circumstances; whether an allowance could be made in exceptional individual cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43203/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

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.

As the Deputy may be aware there are typically two rates of fee, an EU Rate of Fee or a non-EU rate of tuition fee. Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs. This includes setting the criteria a person must meet to be regarded as an EU or a Non-EU tuition fee student.

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. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is not possible for my Department to intervene in the fee policy of the institutions or to advise on the specific criteria of individual institutions.

Where a student has a query in relation to an institution's EU or non-EU fee policy, they can contact the institution they wish to attend for advice appropriate to their own individual circumstances.