Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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239. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding funding in respect of a person (details supplied). [20157/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To determine eligibility for financial support, a student may submit a fully completed online grant application to SUSI, via www.studentfinance.ie, once the application process for the 2013/14 academic year opens in May 2013. Currently maintenance support is not available for students entering postgraduate courses. Those who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme will be eligible to have their post-graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit of €6,270. A further limited number of students will qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the costs of their fees. The income threshold for this payment is €31,500 for the 2012/13 academic year, increasing relative to the number of family dependents.

Tax relief is also available on postgraduate tuition fees. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners. In addition to this, the Student Assistance Fund will continue to be made available through the access offices of third-level institutions to assist students in exceptional financial need.