Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans reintroduce grant supports for students engaged in postgraduate studies. [32403/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, 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 do 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. Alternatively, a postgraduate student may qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the cost of their fees. The income threshold for this payment is €31,500 for the 2015/16 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 (www.revenue.ie). 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.