David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 555: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his policy regarding students studying at third level under graduate through distance learning; the maintenance grants schemes for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27085/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Higher education institutions are conscious of the need to develop more flexible modes of learning and my Department is working with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to support the expansion of opportunities in this area. Developmental funding has already been allocated under the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). One key activity funded by the SIF is the Supported Flexible Learning project. The aim of this project is to establish mainstream flexible learning at the Institutes of Technology, to meet learner and workforce development needs. The Institutes of Technology and the Dublin Institute of Technology are collaborating in this project. Successful implementation will result in mainstreaming supported flexible learning within and across the Institutes.

Undergraduate courses by distance learning are not regarded as full-time study, accordingly, students following such courses are ineligible for grant assistance under the Third Level Student Support Schemes.

Tax relief is available for tuition fees paid by students who are attending certain third level colleges. Such students, or their parents, as appropriate, can avail of tax relief, at the standard rate, on tuition fees paid in respect of part-time undergraduate courses of at least two years duration in such colleges, provided that both the college and the course satisfy the prescribed Codes of Standards and are approved by the Minister for Education and Science. Further details and conditions in relation to tax relief are available from each individual's local tax office.