Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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430. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) will be approved for SUSI support to undertake a course. [36433/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the 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.

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.

Students attending approved undergraduate courses in the EU can apply for a maintenance grant provided they meet the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme. In general, an approved undergraduate course in this context is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration pursued in a university or third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in another EU Member State.

The Student Grant Scheme does not extend to post graduates outside the State other than for exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in Northern Ireland.

The student referred to by the Deputy will be undertaking a postgraduate course outside of the state.

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 a student's local Tax office or from the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie.