Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Jun 1999

Vol. 505 No. 6

Written Answers. - Student Support Schemes.

Richard Bruton

Question:

241 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the consideration, if any, he will give to extending financial support to part-time courses to encourage more people to undertake this very important long-term investment. [14225/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Any proposal to extend the third level student support schemes and the free fees initiative to students pursuing part-time courses must be considered in the light of available financial resources and competing needs in the education sector.

In the 1996-97 academic year, there were almost 23,000 part-time students at third level. In this regard, the profile of part-time students considered by the steering committee on the future development of higher education, indicated that almost 90 per cent of part-time students were in employment. In this context, I would point out that under section 475 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, tax relief is available at the standard rate for tuition fees paid by eligible students who are attending approved part-time third level courses.

Against this background, I have no immediate plans to extend the financial support schemes to part-time students.