Empey welcomes college fee concessions for pensioners

Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey today outlined major assistance for those seeking to claim concessionary fees at their local Further Education college.

Speaking during a visit to the Southern Regional College’s Newry campus, the minister confirmed what will be good news for many pensioners seeking to enrol on a Further Education college course in September. “After working closely with my department, all six colleges in Northern Ireland have agreed to add to their existing means testing criteria for deciding who is entitled to claim concessionary fees. That means from now on, those who are in receipt of relief under the new Rates Relief Scheme, will also be entitled to claim a concessionary fee at their local college.

“This has the potential to increase the number of pensioners who can claim reduced fees for their college courses, and in a way that is compliant with Age Legislation.”

The minister explained that Employment Equality (Age) Regulations, introduced in October 2006, had made it impossible for colleges to continue to offer concessionary fees solely on the basis of age. This left many pensioners facing increased fees for their attendance at college courses.

The minister concluded: “This is a victory for common sense, and confirms my, and the Further Education sector’s, continued commitment to providing learning opportunities for people of all ages. Learning is a lifelong process and I have every confidence that my announcement today will help to remove some of the barriers facing older people who wish to attend college and open the door for them to undertake further study, be it for business or pleasure purposes.”

The new arrangements are now in place and will be available to anyone planning to enrol on courses from September of this year.

Notes to Editors:

1. This additional criteria will add to existing “means tested” criteria such as learners in receipt of Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance (Income based), Guaranteed Pension Credit, learners holding an income based NHS Exemption Certificate, or learners on a low income, some of which also supported some pensioners.
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