Michael Ring
Question:293 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is funding to assist lone parents who work part time to complete a home study course as a special needs assistant and gain a diploma. [4584/03]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
There is no grant scheme available towards the cost of home study courses from my Department. However, the vocational education committees receive funds under a special initiatives for disadvantaged adults scheme, SPIDAS, under which they may make discretionary payments, in cases of hardship, towards the costs of participating in an educational programme, for example towards fees, books, registration or travel costs. Individual third level colleges also have access to a student assistance fund for the same purposes.