Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

204. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding advice available to a student who wants to pursue a qualification in dance; if there is any establishment in the country providing such courses under the student grant scheme; if any assistance is available from any other agency to a student; if grant assistance is available if they attend a course in a private college here or publicly in the UK and the reason do we not assist students wishing to pursue a career in dance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38517/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department's student grant scheme provides maintenance grants to Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) students pursuing approved PLC courses in the State and undergraduate students pursuing approved third level courses in the State or in other E.U. Member States.

In general, an approved PLC course is defined as a prescribed full-time course in an approved PLC centre while an undergraduate course is defined as a full-time, not less than two years duration pursued in an approved institution. Where a student is pursuing an undergraduate course in another EU Member State, the university or third level institution must be maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds.

Where a grant application is made in respect of a course being pursued in an institution in the State or in an EU Member State, such as a Dance/ Theatre School, it is a matter for the central grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to satisfy itself regarding the status of the institution and as to whether the course and institution meet the terms of the scheme.

In relation to tuition fees, there is provision for tax relief, at the standard rate in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in other E.U. Member States. Further details and conditions in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.