Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Student Support Schemes.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

436 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of any schemes within his Department for assisting Irish people doing post-graduate research in the United Kingdom. [22242/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

In 1996, the student support schemes were extended to provide maintenance grants to eligible students following certain full-time under-graduate courses of at least two years duration in another EU member state. The extension of the schemes at that time did not include courses at postgraduate level and, accordingly, there is no grant aid available for students pursuing postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom.

However, section 21 of the Finance Act, 2000, provides for the introduction of tax relief for postgraduate 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 the government have introduced for the tax year 2000-01 onwards, will apply at the standard rate of tax. It is available to full time and part time postgraduate students and includes distance education courses offered here by publicly funded colleges in other EU member states. Further details and conditions in relation to this tax relief are available from local tax offices.

Question No. 437 taken with Question No. 411.