Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 363: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if her Department offers a funding scheme in which a disabled person (details supplied) in County Mayo may pursue a third-level course with an international correspondence school on a part-time basis from home; if her attention has been drawn to any other funding scheme that may be appropriate in this situation; her plans to amend the higher education scheme to accommodate persons in such a situation when full-time education is not suitable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18688/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Higher Education Grants Scheme operates under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. Under the scheme, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution. There are no plans at present to extend the scope of the student support schemes to part-time courses.

The Fund for Students with Disabilities, which provides supports to students with disabilities attending full-time courses at third level, currently operates in line with regulations concerning the maintenance grant. Therefore the provision of support does not extend to those attending part-time courses.

The Higher Education Authority also provides institutions with recurrent funding to develop the necessary infrastructure and programmes of action which support wider access for people with a disability, mature students and young people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Tax relief is available on third level tuition fees in respect of approved part-time courses in approved colleges. Further information in this regard is available from the Revenue Commissioners.