Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019
120. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Finance if the disregard of the first €3,000 when calculating tax relief for third level fees will be revised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35739/19]
View answerSection 473A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for tax relief at the standard rate of income tax (20%) in respect of qualifying fees paid by an individual for a third level education course, subject to the terms and conditions set out in that section. Qualifying fees mean tuition fees in respect of an approved course at an approved college, reduced by the amount of the student contribution which, in the case of a full-time course, is currently €3,000.
In 2017, the most recent year for which data are available, the Exchequer cost of the measure was some €15.2m. Full details of the relief, including the terms and conditions that apply, are set out on the Revenue website at https://www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/education/tuition-fees-paid-for-third-level-education/index.aspx
The maximum level of the student contribution of €3,000 has remained unchanged since 2015. However, at this relatively short remove, it is well established practice, for me as Minister for Finance, not to comment on changes to tax policy that may or may not be included in the annual Budget.
