Liam Aylward
Ceist:245 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science the grants which are available to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [3088/01]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
I understand the student to whom the Deputy refers is attending a part-time undergraduate course at Griffith College which is a private, third level college. Under the higher education grants scheme, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution.
An approved institution is defined to mean a university, university college or other institution of higher education in so far as it provides a course or courses of not less than two years duration, being a course or courses which the Minister for Education and Science approves for the time being for the purposes of the Acts.
Each year, the higher education grants scheme specifies a list of approved institutions for the purposes of the scheme. The approved institutions mainly comprise publicly funded third level institutions. In this regard, Griffith College is not an approved institution for purposes of the scheme.
There are no plans at present to extend the scope of the student support schemes to private colleges. Any extension to the scope of the main tenance 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.
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 part-time third level courses. The relief applies to part-time undergraduate courses of a minimum duration of two years, both in publicly funded third level institutions and in private colleges. Further details and conditions in relation to such tax relief are available from any tax office.