Cork South Central TD Jerry Buttimer has said that confusion about the amount of the third level Student Contribution and how it is to be paid needs to be clarified.
Deputy Buttimer said “parents and students who are already under financial pressure need reassurance that they do not have to pay full Student Contribution in one lump sum; it can be paid by instalments.
“Many parents of students returning to college are worried about meeting the cost of the increased Student Contribution. When this charge was known as a Student Services Charge it was not subject to tax relief and each student was charged the same amount. Budget 2011 increased the charge to €2,000 but this was only to apply to one child from a family. Parents expected that they would only have to pay the reduced amount for second and subsequent children going to college. However this is not the case, parents are required to pay the full amount up front and then apply for a tax rebate. The net effect of the tax relief is that the Student Contribution is €1,600 for second and subsequent children in full time third level education.
“Parents are under financial pressure, the Student Contribution is a lot of money to have to fork out in one go. They should be reassured that colleges are accepting payment of the Student Contribution by instalments. One half of the payment is due on registration and the balance must be paid by 31 January 2012. This facility will ease the pressure on families as they are faced with the expenses of students returning to college.
“I have asked the Minister for Education to make a statement where he would clearly set out the amount of the Student Contribution and also the payment options available. This would help in eliminating the uncertainty and distress among parents.”