Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a student studying graduate entry medicine in UCD is not eligible for a student grant because the course does not represent progression under the terms of the scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18112/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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It appears from the details supplied by the Deputy that the student in question is availing of the graduate entry option to pursue a primary degree in medicine. To avail of this entry route, a primary degree in another discipline is necessary.

In general, under the student grant schemes, students cannot qualify for grant assistance or free tuition fees for a second period of study at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant or tuition fees were paid previously. The main objective of this policy is to assist as many students as possible in obtaining one undergraduate degree and in progressing, where appropriate, to a postgraduate course of study.

However, institutions participating in the graduate medical programme have been requested to provide accompanying services and supports to facilitate the participation of disadvantaged students in the programme. Details of these services and supports are available from the relevant institution.

In addition, Section 473A of the 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 in approved colleges of higher education including certain approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in E.U. Member States and in non EU countries. Further details and conditions in relation to this tax relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie. This information may be of assistance to the student concerned.