Vol. 547 No. 1
1133 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if degree course fees will be refunded under the teacher fee refund scheme to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1312/02]
The teacher fee refund scheme, which is funded by my Department and administered by the Marino Institute of Education, provides for payments towards third level courses and examination fees incurred by primary and post-primary teachers in the successful completion of courses approved by my Department and school authorities.
Under the terms of the scheme, applicant teachers must be fully qualified and serving in approved posts to comprehend approved part-time hours. This is with a view to targeting as effectively as possible the overall funding available.
As the person concerned is not a fully qualified teacher, she is ineligible to benefit under the scheme. However, section 21 of the Finance Act provides for tax relief for approved undergraduate and postgraduate tuition fees. Details may be obtained from the Revenue Commissioners – forms and leaflets service – at 01-8780100.
