Written answers

Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Department of Education and Skills

Student Universal Support Ireland

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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230. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if students that wish to pursue a postgraduate course in the United Kingdom or in other EU countries but are permanently resident here are eligible for assistance under the normal conditions of the SUSI scheme; if not, the reason postgraduate students are not afforded the same assistance as undergraduate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6128/20]

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.  

In relation to funding for postgraduate courses pursued in the United Kingdom and other EU countries, the payment of tuition fees is limited to approved courses of higher education at an approved institution in the State, other than for exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate course in Northern Ireland. The Student Grant Scheme does not extend to postgraduate study outside of Ireland. The Scheme operates in the context of limited public funding and competing priorities.  

However, 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 undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.

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