Written answers

Thursday, 13 October 2016

Department of Education and Skills

Student Support Schemes

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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36. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department provides or is aware of any fund that would assist a person (details supplied) pursue a course in medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30015/16]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The main support available to assist students with the cost of higher education is the student grant scheme.

I understand that the individual in question already holds a level 8 degree. One of the criteria in the student grant scheme relates to 'progression'. This means that a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another, where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course.

The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study.

If the person to whom the Deputy refers is ineligible for a SUSI grant then there are some other options which could be pursued.

Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the college attended.

Also, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education, including approved postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.

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