215 Ms O’Donnell asked the Minister for Education and Science if there are third level courses being offered by the National University of Ireland under which tuition fees, or part thereof, are returned to students via direct payments, rather than via tax relief on tuition fees; the number of such courses this direct payment system applies to; the reason a different system might be applied to certain third level courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38542/05]

Under my Department's free fees initiative it is the Exchequer that meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending approved third level courses in the State. If the Deputy can provide me with additional background information on the subject matter of the question I will have the matter further examined.