Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2024
557. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has considered qualifying veterinary students in Hungary for student grants, similar to the process of allowing students in Northern Ireland access to grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37814/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible 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 support available for students studying abroad, the Student Grant Scheme provides maintenance grants to eligible undergraduate students pursuing approved courses in other EU Member States. Article 4(c) of the Student Support Regulations 2024 and Section 8(1) of the Student Support Act 2011 state that approved courses outside of the State must be full-time undergraduate courses, take not less than 2 years to complete and lead to a major higher education award.
Postgraduate courses that take place outside of the State are not approved for funding with the exception of courses in the four publicly funded institutions in Northern Ireland. This provision is consistent with the principles of the Good Friday agreement and is intended to promote greater tolerance and understanding between both jurisdictions.
In the case of a student who is pursuing an integrated master’s course outside the State, such as the course referred to by the Deputy, the first four years of study are considered to be at undergraduate level for grant purposes and any further years to be at postgraduate level. Accordingly, students may apply for grant funding for the undergraduate portion of the course under the Student Grant Scheme. However, as per the student support regulations, the subsequent years of these courses are not approved for grant funding since the Student Grant Scheme does not extend to postgraduate study outside of Ireland.
The Deputy may wish to note that 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.
