Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 March 2021
164. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a range of financial supports will be provided to students in private colleges undertaking a professional masters of education in primary teaching given that students on these courses in other universities receive these financial supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13648/21]
View answerUnder the Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme. The definition of an approved institution is set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 3 of the Student Support Regulations 2020. Private colleges operated on a for-profit basis are not listed as approved institutions for student grant purposes.
It is open to higher education institutions that operate on a 'for profit' basis to use their own resources to provide financial supports to any of their students that they consider to be in particular need.
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.
