Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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93. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he can provide assistance, including student loan facilities, to a person (details supplied) who proposes to attend Griffith College in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12351/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Private colleges operating on a for-profit basis, as is the case with Griffith College, are not listed as approved institutions for student grant purposes. However, tax relief on tuition fees may be available for students attending courses in private colleges. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners. I also understand that financial institutions offer a range of student lending facilities.

As the Deputy will be aware, the last Government established an Expert Group to examine funding arrangements for higher education in Ireland. As part of its work, the group considered the nature and extent of financial supports for students across the sector.

This Group has completed its work and its report will shortly be considered. As signalled in the Programme for Government, it is the intention to consult the cross-party Oireachtas Committee as part of the process for formulating a plan for funding higher education into the future. I would like to assure the Deputy that we will engage quickly and openly with the Committee on this issue.