Vol. 536 No. 5
358 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of the tax relief on third level education fees; if he will increase the threshold in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14718/01]
Tax relief provisions on the payment of tuition fees have been introduced in recent years. They are as follows: The Finance Act, 1995, provided for tax relief on tuition fees paid by students who are attending approved full-time undergraduate courses of at least two years duration at approved private third level colleges; the Finance Act, 1996, as amended by the Finance Act, 1997, provided for tax relief for tuition fees paid in respect of approved part-time undergraduate courses of at least two years duration at colleges approved for the higher education grants scheme and at approved private third level col leges; the Finance Act, 1999, provided tax relief at the standard rate for the tuition fees of full-time undergraduate courses in publicly funded colleges in other EU member states; the Finance Act, 2000, introduced tax relief at the standard rate for full-time and part-time postgraduate courses in publicly funded and private colleges in Ireland and publicly funded colleges in other EU member states; and the Finance Act, 2001, inserts a new section into the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, to provide for the amalgamation of the existing four tax reliefs for third level education fees; an extension of the reliefs by removing the restrictions for repeat years, on individuals undertaking more than one course, on individuals already holding a third level qualification and in relation to the exclusion of certain courses in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and teacher training.
The reliefs are also being extended for postgraduate fees paid for third level education in private and publicly funded third level colleges in non-EU countries. Tax relief for undergraduate fees will also now be available in EU countries for duly accredited private third level colleges.
Under these provisions tax relief is available at the standard rate. The maximum amount of fees that can be claimed under the above reliefs is £2,500 per annum. The level of fees is determined by the Minister for Education and Science with the consent of the Minister for Finance. The £2,500 limit is being reviewed in consultation with the Department of Finance.
