Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
756. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will commission a cost-benefit analysis review of adding a university (details supplied) and other open colleges which issue QQI awards and certificates to the SUSI grants system to increase access to higher education and upskill the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21626/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Department's Student Grant Scheme 2021 administered by SUSI, 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 2021.
Private colleges operated on a for-profit basis are not listed as approved institutions for student grant purposes. In the context of limited public funding and competing priorities, student support funding is currently targeted at full-time students undertaking study in approved publicly funded institutions.
The extension of funding to private colleges under the Student Grant Scheme would represent a major policy change which has the potential to impose very significant additional costs for the Exchequer. Any such decision could only be considered in light of available resources and in the context of competing demands within the education sector. Accordingly, at present I do not intend to depart from the current arrangements in relation to private colleges.
However, 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.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
In the context of a person re-educating, Springboard is a specific initiative that strategically targets funding of free part-time higher education courses to enable unemployed people, returners (formerly referred to as homemakers) and those in employment to upskill or reskill in areas where there are identified labour market skills shortages or employment opportunities. The courses, which are at Level 6 (Higher Certificate) to Level 9 (Master's Degree) on the National Framework of Qualifications, are being delivered in public and private higher education providers around the country. Further information may be obtained from the website https://springboardcourses.ie/.
