Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Ceisteanna (310)

Colm Keaveney

Ceist:

310. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm that students will be entitled to a third level grant from Student Universal Support Ireland if, satisfying all other criteria, they are going from an appropriate degree with an NFQ level of 8 to a professional diploma in education which has an NFQ level of 8; that condition of progression will be waived in this case, in view of the fact that the professional diploma is a necessary qualification to work as a teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37531/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Professional Diploma in Education (PDE), previously known as a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), was placed on the framework of qualifications at Level 8 with effect from the start of the academic year 2011/12. The course is considered to be a postgraduate course for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme.

To satisfy the terms and conditions of the student grant scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another, where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course.

The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study. Given the level of demand on the student grant budget from first time students and students that are progressing with their studies to a higher level, there are no plans at present to change the arrangements in place.

For the purposes of the student grant scheme a student who has successfully completed an undergraduate course at Level 8 and is transferring to a postgraduate course at Level 8 of the framework of qualifications or equivalent is deemed to be progressing.

The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form, including relating to residency, nationality, academic attainment and means it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for a grant.

Students commencing a new course in the academic year 2013/14 are required to submit their grant application to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) via www.susi.ie. to have their eligibility for grant assistance assessed.

Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners.