Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [8068/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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On 5/11/2010 an appeal was received by my Department from the candidate in question to review the decision of her grant awarding authority not to award a student grant. The grant awarding authority had taken this decision because the reckonable income limits for student grant eligibility were exceeded.

The appeal was examined in detail by my Department and a decision issued to the candidate on 23/11/2010. On the basis of the income details supplied by the candidate, the reckonable income limits are exceeded and the original decision of the awarding authority not to award a grant was upheld on this basis.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is grant aid available for a student who wishes to pursue studies in performing arts in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8071/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The student grant schemes include provision for grants to eligible students pursuing certain full-time undergraduate courses of at least two years duration in other EU Member States.

In addition, section 473A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for tax relief, at the standard rate of tax, for tuition fees paid in respect of approved full-time and part-time courses in both private and publicly-funded third level colleges and universities. Further details and conditions in relation to this tax relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners. To qualify for a grant a student must also satisfy the terms and condition of the student grant schemes relating to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.

A decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the grant awarding authority in the area where the student resides. Therefore, the student in question is advised to submit a fully completed application form to her grant awarding authority to establish her eligibility or otherwise for a grant. Grant awarding authorities also deal with the question of whether or not the course a student wishes to pursue is eligible for grant purposes.