Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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277. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) will be eligible to apply for assistance under the higher education grant schemes; the assistance available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25681/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for funding at post-graduate level. To determine eligibility, a student may submit a fully completed online grant application to SUSI, via studentfinance.ie. 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. Currently maintenance support is not available for students entering postgraduate courses.

A postgraduate student may 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 2013/14 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.