Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1150. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are financial supports available to assist in completing a diploma course in embalming which is not covered through the SUSI system. [63450/21]
View answerThe main support provided by my Department in terms of financial supports is the Student Grant Scheme. The Student Grant Scheme, administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), provides grant assistance to students attending an approved full-time course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. The Student Grant Regulations prescribe that an approved course is a full-time course leading to a major higher education and training award which takes a minimum of two years to complete in an approved institution. The definition of an approved institution is set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 3 of the Student Support Regulations 2021.
A student attending a private college which is not listed in the Student Support Regulations 2021 would not be eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme 2021. However, it is open to course providers that operate on a 'for profit' basis to use their own resources to provide financial supports to any of their students that they consider to be in particular need.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax office or from the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie.
