Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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401. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students that were provided with grants for postgraduate studies for the college year 2012/2013; the amount that was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38433/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Information supplied to my Department by the grant awarding authorities in the 2012/13 annual statistical return indicates that there were some 3,800 postgraduate students in receipt of a student grant at a cost of some €14.5 million in the 2012/13 academic year. These figures include new and renewal postgraduate students and have been supplied to my Department by the grant awarding authorities (local authorities, Vocational Education Committees and Student Universal Support Ireland).

In the context of the necessary but difficult expenditure reduction measures announced in Budget 2012, new students entering postgraduate courses from the 2012/13 academic year onwards will not be entitled to maintenance payments under the Student Grant Scheme. Those who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible to have their post-graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit of €6,270.

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.