Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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295. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to extend the Student Universal Support Ireland grant scheme to third level students who attend non-state-owned colleges, given that these colleges are state-approved, applied for through the Central Applications Office and award state-approved Quality and Qualifications Ireland degrees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12686/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Under my Department's student grant scheme, 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 2016.

There are no plans to amend the definition of an approved institution. However, tax relief on tuition fees may be available for students attending courses in institutions which are not approved for the purposes of grant support, such as private colleges. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners onwww.revenue.ie.