Up to 450 Dáil staff are entitled to free university places for the coming year, with hundreds of university staff also entitled to the same privilege.

Last month, Ireland's top colleges were invited to attend what was described as "a mini-trade fair event" in which they were given the opportunity to provide Dáil staff with information on their various courses.

According to Oireachtas spokesman Daniel English, "As part of their training and development, the members can apply to have the fees paid for in full or in part."

The average cost of a part-time course in Ireland is €6,000.

Most universities offer the same perk to their staff. In University College Cork (UCC), employees can apply for a 50% reimbursement for courses. "In line with national policy, fee concessions are available to staff pursuing relevant pre-approved courses of study within the university," said UCC spokeswoman Marie McSween­ey.

"And 50% reimbursement of fees is available to staff on successful completion of relevant courses which have been pre-approved as relevant to their role."

At NUI Galway, a spokeswoman said: "It is university policy to support the continuing education of its staff. If certain criteria are met, the university may allow for abatement or concession of fees."

A Trinity College Dublin spokeswoman said the reduced-fees scheme operates in the college as a result of the Social Partnership Agreement and as part of the Public Service Benchmarking exercise.

"Each request by an employee for the reimbursement of fees for a course is considered on a case-by-case basis by the employee's line manager. If the benefits of the course are in keeping with the Performance Management and Development Scheme and directly apply to the work environment of the employee, part reimbursement may be considered," she said.

This news comes as education minister Batt O'Keeffe last week announced plans to bring proposals for third-level fees to cabinet next month.

President of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) Peter Mannion described the initiative as "revolting".

"There can be no excuse made for providing these government and university staff with a free further education. It shows where the priorities of the government truly lie. It is favouritism and it is blatant double standards. Even if you are working in any part of the civil service, even if it is personal development, you should pay for your education like everyone else in Ireland.

"In a time when the government are trying to push in fees, this is revolting. We will be asking these very people if they, too, will accept deferred loans and proposals for fees."

Labour spokesman for education Ruairi Quinn said he is "unaware" of the scheme and will be looking into it further.