Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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752. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware of any Government-funded PhD grant schemes or financial support schemes which those without an undergraduate degree can apply for in order to fund their PhD studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22711/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The main support available to assist postgraduate students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved full-time 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. While a student must always be progressing in their studies to be eligible for SUSI funding, there is no requirement for those who are pursuing postgraduate courses at any level to have a prior undergraduate qualification.

With regards to research funding, my Department does not fund students directly. It does however provide funding to PhD students through Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council, who in turn fund research through the Higher Education Institutes. The postgraduate office within the higher education institution would also be able to advise on funding supports.

Students in publicly funded third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial difficulty can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). In January of this year I announced an additional once off funding of €4.3 million to be allocated to SAF to assist students with the cost of living. This was in addition to the €8m that was allocated in Budget 2023. This brings the total allocation for the SAF for the 22/23 academic year to over €20 million, which is the highest amount that has ever been provided under this 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. It is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis. More information on the SAF is available at www.studentfinance.ie.

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