Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2015
875. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) entering third level education for the first time can avail of the free fees scheme if the person is taking a masters course and not an undergraduate course. [20295/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main criteria of the Free Fees Initiative provides that students must be first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. Assistance under the scheme is not available for courses at postgraduate level.
Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and the criteria governing the level of tuition fees to be charged in the case of postgraduate study is a matter for the institutions to determine.
Tax relief is available on postgraduate tuition fees paid. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners at www.revenue.ie.
