Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
758. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding is available for Irish citizens studying in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16330/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2021 Memorandum of Understanding on the Education Principles for the Common Travel Area commits the Irish and UK Governments to maintain reciprocal rights of Irish and British citizens to access programmes in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in each other's States on terms no less favourable than the citizens of that State.
Students from Ireland, therefore, continue to access higher education in the UK on the same basis as they did prior to its withdrawal from the EU in terms of fees and student support.
In 2020, the Student Support Act was amended to retain the status quo to allow the payment of the SUSI grant to Irish students pursuing an approved undergraduate course in the UK, subject to usual eligibility criteria of nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The Student Grant Scheme however, never has extended to the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State, other than the exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in four approved HEIS in Northern Ireland. This provision is consistent with the principles of the Good Friday agreement and is intended to promote understanding between both jurisdictions.
Irish students who are seeking to pursue their studies in the UK are, therefore, advised to contact the Student Finance agency in each of the Devolved Administration in the UK, as there may be variations between eligibility criteria in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In addition, Irish students studying in the UK may be eligible for tax relief at the standard rate of tax for approved courses at approved higher educational institutions in the UK. Further information on this tax relief is available from the student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
