Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2011
158 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the grants or forms of financial assistance provided by him to Irish students studying in third level education outside the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26131/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe student grant scheme includes provision for grants to eligible students pursuing full-time undergraduate courses of at least two years duration in publicly-funded institutions in other EU Member States.
The student grant scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by local grant awarding authorities — local authorities and VECs — and students should apply to the grant awarding authority in the area where they live to have their eligibility for a grant assessed.
While the student grant scheme does not extend to postgraduate study outside of Ireland, Section 473A, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, as amended by Section 11 of the Finance Act 2011, provides for tax relief, at the standard rate of tax, for tuition fees paid in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including certain approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in E.U. Member States and in non-EU countries.
