Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 April 2004
95 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding is available for a person (details supplied) in County Meath who has been accepted on the basis of an accreditation of prior learning onto a masters degree programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10969/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory framework for the maintenance grants scheme, as set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts 1968 to 1992, provides for means-tested higher education grants to assist students to attend full-time third level education.
An approved course, for the purposes of the higher educational grant scheme is, generally speaking, a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one-year duration pursued in an approved third level institution. The institutions approved under the scheme are, generally speaking, publicly funded third level colleges offering full-time courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Similarly 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.
Part-time courses are not approved courses under the terms of the maintenance grant schemes or the free fees initiative.
Tax relief is, however, available on third level tuition fees in respect of approved part-time courses in approved colleges. Further information in this regard is available from the local tax offices.
