Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2004
308 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason higher education grants are being refused to students who attend Griffith College; and the legal, academic and policy grounds for such refusals. [23288/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe higher education grants schemes operate under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. 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 Schemes. The approved institutions mainly comprise of public funded third level institutions. In this regard, Griffith College is not an approved college for the purpose 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 grants scheme, to include private colleges such as Griffith College 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. Further details and conditions in relation to such tax relief are available from any tax office.
