Enda Kenny
Question:655 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is entitled to a third level grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8233/02]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
My Department funds three means-tested maintenance grant schemes for third level education students in respect of attendance on approved courses in approved third level institutions and one grant scheme in respect of post leaving certificate courses: (a) the higher education grants scheme; (b) the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme; (c) the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees; and (d) maintenance grants scheme for students attending post leaving certificate–PLC– courses.
The statutory framework for the higher education grants schemes is set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. It is the local authorities which, on behalf of my Department, administer the schemes, which are reviewed annually by my Department. The vocational education committees' scholarship scheme, the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees and the scheme for PLC students are administered, on behalf of my Department, by the vocational education committees. All four schemes have similar provisions, relating, for example, to residency and means, which govern the award of a grant.
It is the relevant local authority or VEC to which application for a grant must be made. Decisions on applications are taken by these bodies based on the terms of the schemes which issue from my Department. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is desired.
With regard to the person referred to by the Deputy, County Mayo VEC contacted my Department in October 2001 to inquire about his eligibility under the terms of the maintenance grants scheme for students attending post leaving certificate (PLC) Courses, 2001. County Mayo VEC was advised by my Department that, as he held a national certificate qualification, he was ineligible for funding to pursue a course approved for the purposes of the PLC maintenance grants scheme. In this regard clause 3.2 of the scheme states that candidates are ineligible if they already hold an NCVA level 2 or level 3 qualification, a third level qualification at national certificate, national diploma, degree, post-graduate or equivalent level. It is not open to me, or my Department, to depart from the terms of the maintenance grants schemes in individual cases.
Question No. 656 answered with Question No. 542.