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Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014

Thursday, 15 May 2014

Questions (88)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

88. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason no postgraduate maintenance grant is available to students undertaking a master's degree; his views on the difficulties this poses to those who become unemployed and wish to undertake a third level course up to masters level to reskill and improve their employment prospects; the other support available from his Department for such mature students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22009/14]

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Written answers

In the context of the necessary but difficult expenditure reduction measures announced in Budget 2012, new students entering postgraduate courses from the 2012/13 academic year onwards are not entitled to maintenance payments under the Student Grant Scheme. Those who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible to have their post-graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit of €6,270.

A postgraduate student may qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the costs of their fees. The income threshold for this payment is €31,500 for the 2014/15 academic year, increasing relative to the number of family dependents.

In addition, Springboard is a specific initiative that strategically targets funding of free part-time higher education courses to enable unemployed people to upskill or reskill in areas where there are identified labour market skills shortages or employment opportunities. The courses, which are at level 6 (higher certificate) to level 9 (master's degree) on the National Framework of Qualifications, are being delivered in public and private higher education providers around the country.

A call for proposals for courses to be run under Springboard 2014 was published in early February. Details of courses selected for funding and the eligibility criteria for participation will be available on the dedicated information and applications website www.springboardcourses.ie from June 2014Tax relief is also available on postgraduate tuition fees. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners. In addition to this, the Student Assistance Fund will continue to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need.I have no plans at present to change the current arrangements.

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