Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding available to students for part-time courses or if there are any plans to introduce funding for part-time courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45773/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the Student Grant 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. The Student Support Act 2011 contains an enabling provision for the purpose of including part-time courses in the student grant schemes when resources permit. This has not been commenced and given the level of demand on the funding available for student grants, there are no plans at present to extend the scope of the student grant schemes to part-time courses.

Tax relief is available for fees for part-time courses. Full details of this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners. Springboard, which was first launched in May 2011, is a specific initiative that strategically targets funding of free part-time higher education courses for unemployed people in areas where there are identified labour market skills shortages or employment opportunities. To be eligible for a place on a Springboard course a person must be unemployed, actively seeking employment, and be in receipt of one of the qualifying payments from the Department of Social Protection or be signing for credits or be previously self employed. Full details can be accessed on the dedicated Springboard website www.springboardcourses.ie.