Vol. 571 No. 3
153 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare can avail of a third level grant in view of the fact that their proposed course is at a higher and more advanced level than their previous degree course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21742/03]
Under the terms of the third level student support schemes, maintenance grants are not payable to candidates who already hold an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second undergraduate degree. Similarly tuition fees, under the free fees initiative, are not payable in respect of a second period of college attendance on a course at the same level. These restrictions apply to every student who already holds a qualification at any level, irrespective of where that qualification was obtained.
As the student referred to by the Deputy already holds a bachelor of science degree, he is ineligible for a higher education grant or to benefit under the free fees initiative in respect of the second undergraduate degree course he is currently pursuing.
