Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1454. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected cost of allowing EU students to be eligible for the fee grant to be paid for under SUSI if they qualify for maintenance grants; how many students are projected to be eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36897/23]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for a student grant, and the rate payable to applicants deemed eligible for that grant is a matter for SUSI to determine having regard to the terms and conditions of the Scheme.
Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
In relation to support available for students studying abroad, the Student Grant Scheme provides maintenance grants to eligible undergraduate students pursuing approved courses in other E.U. Member States.
In general, an approved undergraduate course in this context is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration pursued in a university or third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in another EU Member State.
In relation to supports for students studying in the State there are two categories of student for the purpose of the student grant scheme - “student” and “tuition student”; broadly a “student” meets the residency requirement in the State, satisfies the nationality requirements and may be eligible for maintenance grant and fee grant whereas the “tuition student” meets the residency requirement in a Member State, the EEA or Switzerland, satisfies the nationality requirements and may be eligible for fee grant only.
The Student Grant Scheme does not and never has extended to the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State other than for exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in Northern Ireland. This provision is consistent with the principles of the Good Friday agreement and is intended to promote greater tolerance and understanding between both jurisdictions. To fund tuition fees to institutions outside the State would represent a major policy change. The Department does not hold data in relation to the cost of fees for eligible undergraduate courses outside of the state, therefore, we are unable to provide the projected cost requested.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
