Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 June 2004
104 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if grant assistance can be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has undertaken a home study course called applied behaviour analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17021/04]
View answerThe statutory framework for the maintenance grants scheme, as set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968 to 1992, provides for means-tested higher education grants in order to assist students in attending full-time third level education.
An approved course for the purpose of the higher education grant scheme is generally a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years' duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year's duration pursued in an approved third level institution. The institutions approved under the scheme are generally publicly funded third-level colleges offering full-time courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Similarly, under the terms of the free fees initiative, under which the State meets the tuition costs of eligible students, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of a minimum duration of two years in an approved third level institution.
Home study or part-time courses are not approved courses under the terms of the maintenance grant schemes or the free fees initiative. Tax relief is, however, available on third level tuition fees in respect of approved part-time courses in approved colleges and also from approved colleges that provide distance education in the State. Further information in this regard is available from local tax offices.
