Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 960: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there are grants available for a course (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1397/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to the support available for students studying abroad, my Department's student maintenance grant schemes provide maintenance grants to undergraduate students pursuing approved third level courses in other E.U. Member States.

An approved undergraduate course in this context is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration pursued in a university or third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in another EU Member State.

Where a grant application is made in respect of a course being pursued in a third-level institution abroad, such as the college referred to by the Deputy, it is a matter for the awarding body (Local Authority or VEC) to satisfy itself regarding the status of the institution and as to whether the course and institution meet the terms of the relevant scheme.

Section 473A, of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, provides tax relief, 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 in non EU countries.

The application form (I.T. 31 Form) to claim tax relief on tuition fees is available from the Revenue Commissioners website at www.revenue.ie or alternatively from the candidate's Local Tax Office.

Any general extension to the scope of the grants scheme can be considered only in the light of available resources and in the context of competing demands and priorities within the education sector.