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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Course Funding.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

1351 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is a source of funding available for a course (details supplied); if so, the agencies which will undertake to provide finance; the criteria which apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2562/02]

As the course in question is part-time, no assistance with participants' fees is currently available, except under the back to education initiative outlined below. In my White Paper on Adult Education, Learning for Life, a key priority is to expand access to adult education, particularly for people with less than upper second level education. As there are 1.1 million adults with less than upper second level education, my priority is to extend free tuition for part-time courses to those who are unemployed, medical card holders, in receipt of means tested welfare payments or family income supplement and their dependants, on a phased basis as resources permit. A back to education initiative in further education, with 6,000 new places across programmes in the further education sector is being implemented this year. However, the course in question here is not part of the further education system and is not aimed at this target group.

It is open to the centre to apply to the Higher Education and Training Awards Council for recognition of the course under the tax relief scheme, as those who are employed and attending the course may be eligible for tax relief on their fees. This applies to nationally certified third level courses of at least two year's duration in recognised colleges. Individual cases would be a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.

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