Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Department also provides funding for the student assistance fund. This fund is available in various publicly funded higher education institutions. The student assistance fund provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books and class materials. The student assistance fund is open to full-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to a postgraduate qualification. Information on the fund is available through the access office in the third level institution attended. The fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis. Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information is available on www.revenue.ie.

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