John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the funding or grants available for a person who intends taking a course (details supplied). [8654/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The 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, 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. I understand the course referred to by the Deputy is provided by a private college. 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. Further details and conditions in relation to such tax relief are available from the candidate's local tax office.