Vol. 509 No. 3
156 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education and Science if higher education grants are available for students attending post-graduate courses abroad when these courses are not available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20250/99]
In 1996-97, the student support schemes were extended to provide maintenance grants to eligible students following certain full-time under-graduate courses of at least two years' duration in another EU member state. The extension of the schemes at that time did not include courses at post-graduate level and accordingly, there is no grant aid available for students pursuing post-graduate studies abroad.
Any extension of the current arrangements to provide for students pursuing post-graduate courses abroad could only be considered in the light of available resources and other competing demands within the education sector.
