Vol. 448 No. 7
59 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education the assistance, if any, that is available from the Department of Education to assist Irish students studying abroad; and the assistance, if any, in this regard that is available from the EU. [2876/95]
Grants and scholarships awarded under my Department's student support system are tenable only in respect of attendance at approved institutions in Ireland, including Northern Ireland.
In the case of students holding higher education grants-scholarships in respect of attendance at approved institutions in Ireland, payment of grant may be continued for one year in respect of attendance in other EU countries under the ERASMUS programme. The conditions are: (i) the period of study abroad is shown to be an integral part of the student's course in Ireland, the period of study abroad is a requirement of the course as laid down by the college regulations, and the student continues to be registered at the home university or college.
To date I have been obliged because of limited Exchequer resources to confine financial support to students following approved third level courses in Ireland, including Northern Ireland.
However, I have this aspect of the student support schemes under review in the context of my consideration of the recommendations of the advisory committee which I have received.
