Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science, pursuant to his reply on 15 January,Official Report, columns 583–84, if the Government of the Republic of Ireland pay tuition fees for United Kingdom students attending courses of higher education in the Irish Republic.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThis is not a matter falling within my Department's responsibilities. However I have had inquiries made and I understand that the Government of the Republic of Ireland do not pay tuition fees for any students attending university courses in the Irish Republic. In the non-university higher education sector fees for EC students, irrespective of nationality, attending most courses in the Republic are met by the Irish Government with a contribution from the European social fund. For other courses in the Republic in the non-university higher education sector the fees are paid by the individual, irrespective of nationality. Should the right hon. Member require further details he might like to contact directly the Department of Education, Dublin.