NORTH WEST Regional College has welcomed the recent decision by the Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) to allow students residing in the Republic of Ireland to undertake further education courses without having to pay tuition fees.

This situation, confirmed to the College by DEL, applies to courses such as National Diplomas, NVQ Level 2 or 3, and First Diplomas, on offer at Northern Ireland FE colleges from September 2007, including the new North West Regional College – Derry, Limavady and Strabane.

The directive states, "FE colleges will be permitted to enrol ROI domiciled students on the same basis as NI resident students". Director Designate of North West Regional College, Seamus Murphy, said, "We are pleased that the uncertainty over fee payments for our further education courses for ROI students has been resolved.

"Since this issue was raised last year, we have been made aware of the concerns of parents, pupils and teachers in the Republic whereby tuition fee payments may prevent students from accessing the vocational courses we offer.

"Now that the situation has been resolved, we encourage those students considering our courses, to proceed with their application, in the knowledge that they will now not incur any tuition fee payment."

Traditionally hundreds of students from the Republic of Ireland have undertaken further education programmes at North West Institute and Limavady College enabling them to obtain the skills and knowledge required by industry or for progression to universities.

North West Regional College will be established on August 1 2007, bringing together Limavady College and North West Institute. The new college will be based at 3 main locations, Derry, Limavady and Strabane, and will provide the highest quality education and training for learners of all ages across the north west.

While the name of the local colleges will change, the commitment to respond to the needs of learners at the location of their choice will remain the priority for North West Regional College.