Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 2

Written Answers. - British Validated Courses.

Seamus Brennan

Ceist:

101 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to an apparent anomaly in her decision to exclude British validated courses in Irish private third-level colleges for the purposes of the new personal tax relief; if she has satisfied herself with this anomaly, particularly in view of a student taking a similar course in a British based college who would be eligible for a grant from her Department and who could then avail of free fees in a British third-level college; the reason the new tax relief is not available to persons who have completed certificate or diploma courses, some of which exempt students from the first year of a degree course, when those students go on to take a full degree course; the plans, if any, she has to regularise the situation for the benefit of Irish students studying in Irish private third-level colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11210/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

British validated courses in Irish private third-level colleges are not excluded for the purposes of the tax relief on tuition fees. Such courses are eligible for the tax relief, subject to the college submitting them for evaluation to the National Council for Educational Awards to ensure that they satisfy the code of standards for approval of courses.

Courses provided in a college in Britain which are offered in private third level colleges in the State, and which are validated by that British college, are not covered by the extension of maintenance grants to Britain under the 1996 student support schemes.

Officials from my Department and the Department of Finance are engaged in discussions about the position of students who progress from certificate and diploma courses to degree courses.