Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 1576: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will introduce regulations to allow students attending a college (details supplied) in County Dublin to qualify for third level grant assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1798/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Higher Education Grant Scheme operates under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. Under the 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.

I understand the college referred to by the Deputy is a private college run on a for-profit basis and is not on the list of approved institutions for the purpose of the scheme. There are no plans at present to extend the scope of the student support schemes to such private colleges.