Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if it is intended to curtail financial supports currently allocated to third-level students who meet the appropriate criteria; if changes are to be expected with respect of third level fees or grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17342/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds three means-tested maintenance grant schemes for third-level students. The Higher Education Grants Scheme operates on a statutory basis, while the Vocational Education Committees' Scholarship Scheme and the Third-Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees operate on an administrative basis. The statutory framework for maintenance grants under the Higher Education Grants scheme is set out in the Local Authorities Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992.

Under the terms of the student support grant schemes assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, means and previous academic attainment. The process of reviewing the thresholds for eligibility and the grant levels for the 2006-07 academic year is currently ongoing. Decisions on the 2006 schemes will be announced as soon as this process in completed.

Under the Free Fees Initiative, operated by my Department, the Exchequer meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending approved undergraduate third-level courses. There is no proposal to curtail financial supports currently allocated to third-level students who meet the appropriate criteria under the Maintenance Grants Scheme or the Free Fees initiative scheme.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the need for employees to constantly update their skills, it is envisaged that part-time third-level fees will be abolished or a system of subsidies will be put in place for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17343/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I have no plans at present to extend the free tuition fees schemes to include part-time students. I wish to advise the Deputy of the provisions under Section 473A of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997. This provides tax relief for eligible persons, at the standard rate of tax, for tuition fees paid in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including certain approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in E.U. Member States and postgraduate courses in non-EU countries.

Tax relief for courses of at least two years' duration at undergraduate level extends to approved full/part-time courses in both private and publicly funded third-level colleges in the State and any other EU Member State and approved full/part-time courses operated by Colleges in any EU Member State providing distance education in the State. In 2001, Section 29 of the 2001 Finance Act amended the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 to provide for the following:

(a) The amalgamation of the then existing four tax reliefs for third level education fees;

(b) The section also extended the relief by removing the restrictions

—For repeat years;

—On individuals undertaking more than one course;

—On individuals already holding a third level qualification and

—The exclusion of certain courses in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and teacher training;

(c) The relief is also extended to postgraduate fees paid for third-level education in private and publicly funded third-level colleges in non-EU countries.

(d) Tax relief for undergraduate fees is also now available in EU countries for duly accredited private third-level colleges.

Tax Relief on tuition fees is claimed directly from the Tax Office using an I.T. 31 Form. Details of approved colleges and courses are also available on Revenue's Internet site at www.revenue.ie.