Vol. 563 No. 4
326 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if student grants are available to student nurses from the UK authorities, where such students undertake courses in nursing training at the various training hospitals in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8065/03]
The grant assistance available from the UK authorities to EU students studying nursing in the UK is a matter for the relevant authorities in the UK. My Department understands that information in this regard is available from the student grants unit of the national health service in the UK.
Under the terms of my Department's higher education maintenance grant schemes, students from this State who are attending undergraduate courses in the UK, including courses in nursing, can apply for maintenance grants in respect of approved courses at higher national diploma level or higher, which are pursued in colleges approved for the purpose of the schemes.
Under the terms of the schemes, grants are not available in respect of tuition fees paid at undergraduate level outside of the State. However, all EU students, including students from this State, may be eligible for grant assistance towards the cost of tuition fees from the relevant UK authorities subject to the same conditions as apply to students who have been resident in the UK.
Tax relief has been available for tuition fees paid for full-time, qualifying undergraduate courses in publicly funded universities or similar third level colleges in any EU member state, including the UK, since 1999-2000.
