Vol. 536 No. 2
455 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science if a decision to refuse a post-leaving certificate grant for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford can be reconsidered on appeal; the reason this person is not eligible for a grant; and if other financial assistance is available toward his education. [13662/01]
My Department understands that the candidate, to whom the Deputy refers, is under 23 years of age and while the candidate is resident in Ireland, his parents currently reside outside the State. My Department's maintenance grants scheme for students attending post-leaving certificate courses, the relevant scheme in this case, contains a provision relating to residency. To fulfil the residency requirement a candidate's parents-guardians, or, in the case of an independent mature candidate, the candidate herself or himself, shall have been resident in the administrative area of the VEC from 1 October of the year prior to entry on an approved course. The VEC has discretion to waive this requirement in exceptional circumstances.
Under the terms of the scheme, a mature student is defined as a candidate who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of entry or re-entry to an approved course. There are no plans to amend this residency requirement. With regard to tuition fees for PLC courses, EU nationals are not liable for payment of such fees.
