Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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985. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he plans to introduce grant funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7167/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Student Grant Scheme and the Student Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses are statutory based scheme administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). To qualify for student supports under the scheme, students must be attending an ‘approved course’ at an ‘approved institution’.

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/Student Part-Time Fee Regulations for Specified Undergraduate Courses 2024. In this regard, the inclusion of any new institutions require the Minister to have regard to the policies and principles as set out in section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and seek the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

The list of approved institutions is predominantly populated by publicly funded institutions. While there are a small number of private institutions who have certain courses approved on the list these are categorised as ‘not for profit’ institutions. Apart from the new Technological Universities prescribed under the Technological Universities Act 2018, no additional institutions have been added to the scheme since the passing of the 2011 Act.

As Deputy is aware the college in question is a private educational institution and it does not come under the remit of the Student Grant Scheme. 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 and part-time fee supports for specified undergraduate courses. Any consideration to extend the list of approved institutions would not only have to consider the potential impact on existing approved institutions but also other institutions both in Ireland and across the EU.

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 on this tax relief is available from the student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, .

James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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986. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the works undertaken by the Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board for the refurbishment of a school (details supplied); the progress that has been made in delivering a new apprenticeship training centre at this location; for which craft apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7326/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has confirmed with SOLAS, an application was submitted by MSLETB for the development of the building referred to by the Deputy for apprenticeship provision.

A site visit, involving SOLAS and the ETB, determined the facility could not be made fit-for-purpose for apprenticeship provision, either within the available budget or the required timeframe. Therefore, funding was not allocated to the project and the application was subsequently withdrawn.

My Department continues to work with all stakeholders on the delivery of value for money projects for further education and training facilities where the need is established.