Griffith College is a private college and as such the position pertaining to it is that which is applicable to private colleges generally. There are no plans at present to abolish third level fees for students attending private colleges. As the question of the non-inclusion of courses in such colleges within the free fees initiative is currently at issue in the case of Patrick Jordan junior, Patrick Jordan senior, Raymond Kearns and Barry Acton f2>v. the Minister for Education, Ireland and the Attorney General, I do not consider it appropriate for me to make any further statement as requested by the Deputy.
As regards maintenance grants, any extension to the scope of the grants scheme, to include students attending private colleges, can be considered only in the light of available resources and in the context of competing demands within the education sector. There are no plans at present to extend the scope of the student support schemes to private colleges.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax is available on tuition fees paid to certain private colleges in the State, including Griffith College, in respect of approved undergraduate courses. Further details and conditions in relation to such tax relief are available from any tax office.
The student assistance-access fund, previously known as the hardship fund, does not operate in private colleges.