Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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675. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the grants available to a student (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1682/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. To qualify for grant support, a student has to meet various criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression. Approved undergraduate courses for the Student Grant Scheme 2020 are prescribed in the Student Support Regulations 2020 and in the Student Support Act 2011. It is not clear from the details supplied what course is being pursued in the UK however, SUSI grant funding for courses in the UK is limited to undergraduate courses only. In general, students attending approved undergraduate courses in the UK can apply for a maintenance grant provided they meet the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme. The Regulations prescribe that an approved undergraduate course is a full-time course leading to a major higher education and training award which takes a minimum of two years to complete in an approved institution.

Amendments have been made to the Student Support Act 2011 and the associated secondary legislation to ensure that students will continue to be eligible to apply for student grants for attending colleges in the UK for 2020/21 post-Brexit and beyond.  

Students attending college in the academic year 2021/22 are required to submit their grant application to SUSI via www.susi.iewhen the online application system opens for 2021/22 to have their eligibility for grant assistance assessed.

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. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners at www.revenue.ie

Students attending UK colleges may also be able to apply for a student loan and/or other supports. Students may also wish to contact the relevant college in the UK for advice on the type and range of supports that are available in that particular college.