Question:
275 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will have provision made for the payment of a grant to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 to complete a third level course. [17168/00]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
The higher education grants scheme operates under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. The annual higher education grants scheme sets out a list of approved institutions for the purposes of the scheme. An approved institution is defined to mean a university, university college or other institution of higher education in so far as it provides a course or courses of not less than two years duration, being a course or courses of which the Minister for Education and Science approves for the time being for the purposes of the Acts.
I understand that, in the case of the person referred to by the Deputy, the course in question is a course in psychotherapy and counselling offered by The Tivoli Institute, Dún Laoghaire. The institute, however, is not an approved institution for purposes of the higher education grants scheme. Accordingly, financial assistance is not available under the scheme in respect of courses at the institute.