Vol. 490 No. 7
38 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science when it is intended to provide grants for post-leaving certificate students along the lines of the third level grants; if the system will be in place for the 1998-9 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11066/98]
The programme for Government, An Action Programme for the Millennium, provides a commitment to the introduction of equitable support of students attending PLC courses. Furthermore, I have already advised the House of my intention to introduce grants, which will be at the same level as the third level maintenance grants, as soon as possible for students who are registered on PLC courses as of September 1998. Provision for the payment of the first instalment of these grants has been included in the 1998 Estimates. An information leaflet setting out guideline information about the introduction of PLC grants was distributed by my Department in early February.
The introduction of maintenance grants for students attending PLC courses involves the development of significant new administrative arrangements. While the method and timing of these payments may take some time to finalise, they will be made and will fully meet our commitments. I expect to be in a position to announce further details on the administration of the scheme in the near future.
