Vol. 524 No. 2
407 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will intervene on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare and have her higher education grant approved in view of the circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21975/00]
The terms of the higher education grants scheme preclude the payment of a grant to candidates who already hold a post-graduate qualification and are pursuing a second post-graduate qualification. An exception is made only in the case of candidates who, on completion of a one year post-graduate course which has not led to the conferral of a qualification, are admitted to the second year of a post-graduate course.
As the student in question already holds a post-graduate qualification – Higher Diploma in Education – she is, therefore, ineligible to receive funding under the student support schemes in respect of the second post-graduate course which she is currently pursuing, which will lead to the award of a Higher Diploma in School Guidance Counselling.
However, section 21 of the Finance Act, 2000, provides for the introduction of tax relief for post-graduate fees paid in publicly funded colleges here and in other EU member states, as well as in private colleges in the State. This new relief, which is available for the tax year 2000-1 onwards, will apply at the standard rate of tax and will be available to full-time and part-time post-graduate students. Further details and conditions in relation to this tax relief are available from local tax offices.
