Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the assistance available for the unemployed who wish to study at postgraduate level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15525/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Financial assistance is available under the student grant schemes for qualifying postgraduate students subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant scheme. The student grant schemes are administered on behalf of my Department by local grant awarding authorities - local authorities and VECs - and students should apply to the grant awarding authority in the area where they live to have their eligibility for a grant assessed.

While the student grant schemes do not extend to postgraduate study outside of Ireland, Section 473A, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, as amended by Section 11 of the Finance Act 2011, provides for 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.