Bernard J. Durkan
Question:415 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11785/04]
View answerTuesday, 27 April 2004
Questions (357)
Written answers
Under the terms of the higher education grant scheme, administered by the local authorities under the aegis of the Department of Education and Science, a student is not eligible for grant assistance in respect of a second period of study at the same level, irrespective of whether a grant was paid previously. The scheme also provides that grants may not be paid to candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and are pursuing a second postgraduate qualification.
However, clause 7.7 of the HEG scheme 2003 provides financial assistance to eligible candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and who wish to enter a further postgraduate course at a higher level which represents progression from the level at which the first qualification was attained.
Notwithstanding the provision for progression at undergraduate and postgraduate level, the objective of the schemes of student support is to assist as many students as possible in obtaining at least one undergraduate and one postgraduate degree.
Regarding students who hold a master's in law and are pursuing the professional practice course 1 and 2, considering that the master's held in such cases is in the discipline of law, and that the students concerned are continuing to study law full-time, and must complete the PPC 1 and 2 in order to practice as a solicitor, candidates may be considered under the HEG scheme subject to the usual terms and conditions of funding.
Section 21 of the Finance Act 2000 provided 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. That tax relief is applied at the standard rate of tax and will be available to full-time and part-time postgraduate students. Further details and conditions regarding that tax relief are available from local tax offices.
Question No. 416 answered with QuestionNo. 414.