Minister defends timing of fee review for students

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today refuted any claim that his department has been tardy in launching a review into student fees.

Sir Reg said: “I have consistently made it clear that the Review of Fees and Student Support would commence during academic year 2008-09. I have explained that it has not been possible to begin the review before this time as data on student enrolments for the academic year 2008-09 will not be available until January 2009. These figures will be crucial evidence for the review. It is planned that the review will commence very shortly and the outcomes of this will determine future policy.

“Significant work has taken place to implement this review. My officials have been having discussions with the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills and they have also secured the appointment of an Economic and Social Council Placement Fellow whose work will help provide evidence for the review.”

The Minister continued: “I want to make it clear that the current proposals before the committee relate to a routine annual inflationary increase in the fees. In the previous academic year, the only rise was in line with inflation and that is what is being proposed for next year. We are also increasing the amount of student support available in line with inflation.”

Furthermore, compared with the support available for students in England and Wales, the Department for Employment and Learning is also providing an additional £500 maximum maintenance grant for students from the least advantaged backgrounds.This is to ensure that financial circumstances need not be a deterrent to accessing higher education. Northern Ireland will be the first region in the United Kingdom to launch the review which will look at the issue of student support as well as student fees.

Sir Reg concluded: “I and my officials will continue to work very closely with the Committee for Employment and Learning on implementing this review and I look forward to receiving their full support.”

Notes to Editors:

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