Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2010
202 Deputy Noel Ahern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the State assistance available to mature student who has gone back to study a degree course full time (details supplied); if they qualify for normal university grants; if part-time earnings of their spouse will be taken into account; if they are entitled to any retraining grant; and the tax allowances against fees and other expenses can be claimed. [33077/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraEligibility for grant assistance is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC to establish. Students should apply to their local authority or VEC to establish their eligibility.
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, nationality and previous academic attainment.
The assessment of means under my Department's third level student grant schemes is based on gross income from all sources, with specified social welfare and health service executive payments being excluded from the calculation. In the case of applicants classed as independent mature students, their own earnings and those of their spouse are normally subject to assessment.
Where students do not qualify to have tuition fees paid on their behalf, tax relief is available at the standard rate of tax for tuition fees paid in respect of approved full/part-time courses in both private and publicly funded third level colleges and universities. Further details and conditions in relation to this tax relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.
