Dan Neville
Question:339 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether a situation (details supplied) is unfair. [7203/03]
Written Answers - Higher Education Grants.
My Department funds three means tested maintenance grant schemes for third level education students in respect of attendance on approved courses in approved third level institutions: the higher education grants, HEG, scheme; the vocational education committees, VEC, scholarship scheme; and the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees, TLT. Under the terms of the HEG scheme and the VEC scholarship scheme, candidates who have previously pursued an undergraduate course approved for the purposes of any of the third level schemes are not eligible to be considered for grant assistance until they have completed an equivalent period of study at undergraduate level. The awarding body has discretion to waive this provision in exceptional circumstances, such as certified serious illness.
However, the position of repeat students pursuing national certificate and diploma courses under the TLT scheme differs from that of students pursuing a repeat period of study under the other two third level schemes. In general, a grant holder may only receive funding for the approved duration of one third level training, TLT, course. However, subject to a maximum duration of four years in all, where trainees have passed, failed or not completed the first year of a course, they are allowed to transfer to a different course and receive a grant for the normal duration of the new course.
An Agreed Programme for Government of June 2002 contains a commitment to introduce the payment of maintenance grants through a unified and flexible grant payment scheme. The variations between the schemes referred to above will be considered in that context.