Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 October 2017
64. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to review the criteria for awarding student grants to postgraduate students completing degrees who have chosen to do their course on a part-time basis, particularity persons out of education for a long period prior to commencing their degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44950/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraApproved postgraduate courses for the Student Grant Scheme 2017 are prescribed in the Student Support Regulations 2017 and in the Student Support Act 2011. The Regulations prescribe that an approved postgraduate course is a full-time course leading to a major higher education and training award which takes a minimum of one year to complete in an approved institution. There are no plans to extend this provision to part-time students.
However, students attending postgraduate courses on a part-time basis may qualify for tax relief on fees paid. Further details may be got from www.revenue.ie.
Springboard+ provides free full-time and part-time higher education courses in areas where there are identified skills needs and/or employment opportunities. Courses to date have been delivered in areas such ICT, Manufacturing which includes the biopharma sector, Construction, Entrepreneurship, Cross-Enterprise Skills, the Hospitality Sector and International Financial Services. Springboard+ incorporates the ICT skills conversion programme. Springboard+ courses are delivered in public and private Higher Education Institutions throughout the country. In addition, many courses are delivered on-line enabling people to access them regardless of where they reside in the country.
The Deputy will also be aware of the Action Plan for Education commitment to increase financial supports for postgraduate students with a particular focus on those from low income households. In response to this commitment, additional funding was secured in Budgets 2017 and 2018, to facilitate the reinstatement of full maintenance grants, from this September, for the most disadvantaged postgraduate students. This will benefit approximately 1,100 full-time post graduate students who meet the eligibility criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant.
