Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 June 2012
185 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are any grants or scholarships available from his Department to fund Irish students who travel abroad to obtain qualifications that are not available here but which qualification would be beneficial to the Irish health system when completed as in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31013/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision on eligibility for new student grant applications is a matter for the central grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).
Under my Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme. Students who are attending undergraduate courses in an EU Member State, can apply for a maintenance grant in respect of an approved course which is being pursued in an approved institution. The student grant scheme does not extend to postgraduate courses pursued outside of Ireland.
The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application in relation means, residency, nationality and previous academic attainment, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for a grant. For example, from the details supplied it is not clear if the course to be pursued is at undergraduate or postgraduate level or if it will be pursued in an approved institution for grant purposes.
The student is advised to submit a fully completed online grant application to SUSI via studentfinance.ie to have her eligibility for grant assistance assessed. Further information on the student grant is available on the studentfinance.ie website.
Tax relief is also available on postgraduate tuition fees. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.
There are no grants or scholarships available from the Department of Health in relation to the issue raised by the Deputy.
