Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
2044. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider providing support for student physiotherapists studying in Lithuania due to the shortage of physiotherapists in this country and places to train; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37513/23]
View answerUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those relating 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 EU 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 or the UK.
Officials from my Department have been regularly engaging with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to ascertain possible expansion on existing programmes from 2023, including in the health and social care professions. The HEIs have identified a range of places and the Department of Health have recently given a written commitment to my Department as to the availability of the corresponding clinical placements required to provide these places.
Since July 2022, an additional 15 Physiotherapy places were created: 9 in 2022 and 6 in 2023.
Following engagement between Queens University and Ulster University, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Departments of Health, both North and South, 50 places will be available in therapy disciplines in Ulster University – 20 places in occupational therapy and physiotherapy, and 10 places in speech and language therapy. The places in Northern Ireland have been secured on a one-year basis.
In June of this year, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD and Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue TD announced a number of options to expand third level places for healthcare and veterinary medicine. The Higher Education Authority process found that, with investment, an additional 208 doctors, 692 nurses, 196 pharmacists, 63 dentists and 230 vets could potentially be trained annually. This expansion is being considered in the context of Budgetary Processes and the National Development Plan review. A similar process is expected to be conducted with regard to the therapy disciplines later this year.
The Deputy may wish to note that 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 at www.revenue.ie.
