Written answers

Thursday, 8 May 2014

Department of Education and Skills

Access to Higher Education

Photo of Jonathan O'BrienJonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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72. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to widen participation and increase access to PhD programmes for under-represented groups including those from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds. [20752/14]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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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 are not 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.

The Irish Research Council, which is funded by my Department, has a broad remit to support and enhance human capital development, in particular at postgraduate and early stage postdoctoral researcher levels, and encourage independent exploratory research. Selection is on the basis of excellence following assessment by expert independent panels. 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. I have no plans to extend the scope of the Student Grant Scheme for postgraduate study.

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