Further and Higher Education

Tuesday, 21 April 2026

Questions (914)

Paul Murphy

Question:

914. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that are available to third level students who are attending private colleges and will there be an expansion to those supports. [28547/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The main support available to assist students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

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. Private colleges operated on a for-profit basis, such as the Portobello College, are not listed as approved institutions for student grant purposes. A student attending a private college which is not listed in the Student Support Regulations would not be eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme.

However, 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.

I would advise any student to make direct contact with the institution that they plan to attend to consider what supports may be available.

In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website [www.revenue.ie]

Any future expansion of the parameters of the scheme can only be considered in the context of the budgetary allocation, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector.