Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 5

Written Answers. - Post-Graduate Fees.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

354 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason there is not some financial support either by way of grant aid or tax incentives for teachers who attend the post-graduate diploma course in information and communications technology in education at the Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, under the auspices of the University of Limerick; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the part-time course begins on Friday evenings and continues for most of the day on Saturday with a total number of lecture hours amounting to 235; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are fees of £1,350 together with the purchase of a computer and printer to the value of £1,500 together with course books, computer software, overnight accommodation and travelling expenses; if there are any financial incentives to help defray the huge cost involved in those courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14465/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

My Department administers a refund of fees scheme for primary and post-primary teachers towards course and examination fees incurred by them in the successful completion of in-career development courses approved by the Department and school authorities. In the current year a fund of £210,000 has been made available in respect of courses, or individual years of courses, completed in 1999. This money is allocated on the basis that successful applicants receive the same proportion of their eligible fees. More than 400 teachers benefited under this scheme in 1998.

Some 27 teachers attending the post-graduate diploma course in information and communications technology in education at the Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, have applied under the 1999 refund of fees scheme. It is expected that payments to successful applicants will be made shortly. The circular in respect of the year 2000 scheme will issue later in the year.

As regards tax relief, section 21 of the Finance Act, 2000, provides for the introduction of tax relief from 2000-01 for postgraduate fees paid in publicly funded colleges here and in other EU member states as well as in private colleges in this State. This new relief, which will apply at the standard rate of tax, will be available to full-time and part-time postgraduate students and will include distance education courses offered by publicly funded colleges in other EU member states. The Act provides that a list of all courses eligible for the purpose of section 21 shall be compiled. The process of compiling this list is under way and the course in question will be considered as part of this process.