Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Third Level Fees.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

1293 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding eligibility for free third level fees for persons studying for degrees in modules through the distance education system; if he will extend the free fees scheme to such courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2298/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Under the terms of the free fees initiative, whereby the State meets the tuition costs of eligible students, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of a minimum duration of two years in an approved third level institution. Distance education courses are not approved courses under the terms of the free fees initiative.

Tax relief is, however, available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved distance education courses provided in Ireland by approved colleges or institutions. An extension of the scope of the free fees initiative to provide for students pursuing distance education courses, on a similar basis as currently exists for full-time students, could only be considered having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the education sector.

Noel Ahern

Ceist:

1294 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation regarding third level free fees for a person who has a degree in rehabilitative studies from a UK university and now wishes to qualify as a physiotherapist here; the fees assistance which is available here for courses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2299/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Under the free fees initiative, my Department meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses, which must be of at least two years duration, at approved colleges.

Eligible students are those who are first-time undergraduates, hold EU nationality or official refugee status and have been ordinarily resident in an EU member state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved course. Tuition fees are not paid in respect of students who already hold an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second undergraduate degree, irrespective of whether funding was previously awarded.

My Department understands that the person, to whom the Deputy refers, already holds a degree in rehabilitative studies from a UK University. S/he would not, therefore, be eligible to avail of the free fees initiative to pursue further study at undergraduate level.

With regard to eligibility for financial assistance, grants towards maintenance and, where applicable, fees, under the higher education grants scheme, the position is that, generally speaking, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, and nationality. An approved course for the purpose of the higher education grants scheme means a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration and a full time postgraduate course of not less than one years duration pursued in an approved institution.

Similar to the free fees initiative, under the terms of the higher education grants schemes students who already hold an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second undergraduate degree are not eligible for grant assistance, irrespective of whether or not funding was previously awarded. The scheme also provides that grants may not be paid to students who already hold a postgraduate qualification and are pursuing a second postgraduate qualification at the same level. However, students who are progressing to a further postgraduate course at a higher level, and which represents progression from the level at which the previous qualification(s) was attained, are eligible to be considered for funding.

The University of Ulster is an approved third level institution for the purposes of the higher education grants scheme. Accordingly, students pursuing approved full-time postgraduate courses at the college are eligible to be considered for grant assistance, subject to the usual terms and conditions of funding. My Department understands, however, that the course referred to by the Deputy, a masters degree in physiotherapy at the University of Ulster, is only available as a part-time course, in which case, it would not meet the definition of an approved course under the terms of the higher education grants scheme.

Tax relief provisions on the payment of tuition fees, at undergraduate and postgraduate level, have been introduced in recent years. Further details and conditions in relation to these tax reliefs are available from local tax offices.