Student Support Schemes Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 July 2013

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Ceisteanna (87)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

87. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider that there is little point in the Government fully accepting the recommendations of the Fottrell report, committing to increasing medical student numbers, investing the time and resources in establishing the GEM programmes and then making no provision to support students who will be returning to education driven by a passion to pursue a career in medicine (details supplied). [32329/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

Students pursue GEM programmes as second undergraduate degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees or for student grants. However in order to widen access to GEM programmes, and give assistance towards the financial burden on each student pursuing these programmes, the fees of participatng EU students are partly subsidised by the State via the Higher Education Authority. For the 2012/13 academic year, this subsidy amounted to €10,000 per annum in respect of each EU student participating in GEM programmes in the State. In addition the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides tax relief, at the standard rate, for tuition fees paid in respect of approved courses.