Micheál Martin
Question:96 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education when legislation will be introduced to regulate private education to ensure proper educational standards, consumer protection and employee rights. [2654/96]
Written Answers. - Private Education Legislation.
The 1995 Finance Act provides for tax relief from income tax in respect of tuition fees paid to private colleges in respect of approved courses. The Act provides that "approved colleges" and "approved courses" will be approved by the Minister for Education having regard to a code of standards laid down by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance. The tax relief will take effect in the 1996-97 tax year in respect of fees paid in the 1996-97 academic year.
I have established a working group to make recommendations to me on a code of standards for the purposes of approving colleges and courses which would be eligible for the tax relief for fees. The code will encompass,inter alia, the criteria for recongition of colleges and courses including admission and quality standards and provisions for academic and financial bonding and consumer protection.