Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) is eligible to any grant aid assistance for completion of their course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9878/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of the Maintenance Grant Schemes and the Free Fees Initiative, a student is not eligible for grant assistance in respect of a second period of study at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant assessing authority, i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where the assessing authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal. Support may be available through the Student Assistance Fund which is designed to assist students who, having commenced a third-level course, experience financial hardship that may render them unable to continue their third-level studies. Information on the Fund is available from the Access Officer at the candidate's College.

In addition, Section 473A Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 provides for tax relief on tuition fees, at the standard rate of tax in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including certain approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU and non-EU member states. Further details on claiming this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.