Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 2

Written Answers. - Student Support Schemes.

Finian McGrath

Question:

192 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if the best possible advice, support and finance can be provided to assist a person (details supplied); and his plans to ensure that such talented people are not lost to the country in the future. [13971/03]

I understand the person referred to by the Deputy is due to commence a postgraduate course of study in the UK in the 2003-04 academic year.

As and from the 1996-97 academic year, the terms of my Department's student support schemes were extended to provide maintenance grants to eligible students pursuing approved full-time undergraduate courses of at least two years duration in another EU member state, including the UK. The extension of the schemes at that time did not include courses at postgraduate level and, accordingly, there is no grant aid available under the schemes, for students pursuing postgraduate studies outside of Ireland.

Any extension of the current arrangements to provide for students pursuing post-graduate courses outside Ireland could only be considered in the light of available resources and other competing demands within the education section.

However, the Deputy may be aware that section 21 of the Finance Act 2000, as amended by section 29 of the Finance Act 2001, provides for the introduction of tax relief for postgraduate tuition fees paid in third level colleges outside of Ireland. This relief, which is available from the tax year 2000-01 onwards, applies 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 on this tax relief are available from local tax offices.
Top
Share