Gay Mitchell
Question:224 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8. [30730/04]
View answerThursday, 25 November 2004
Questions (226)
Written answers
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 and one maintenance grant scheme in respect of students attending approved post leaving certificate courses in approved PLC centres: (a) the higher education grants scheme; (b) the vocational education committees' scholarship scheme; (c) the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees; and (d) the maintenance grant scheme for students attending post-leaving certificate courses.
Under the terms of the maintenance grants scheme for post-leaving certificate courses 2004, grants are available to eligible candidates who are entering approved PLC courses for the first time in the 2004-05 academic year. Candidates are ineligible if they already hold a FETAC level 2 or FETAC level 3 qualification, or a third level qualification at national certificate, national diploma, degree, post-graduate or equivalent level. However, notwithstanding this condition candidates who already hold a FETAC level 2 qualification and are now pursuing a course that offers progression may be deemed eligible for grant aid.
The candidate, to whom the Deputy refers, already holds a FETAC level 3 qualification. As outlined above, students who already hold a FETAC level qualification are ineligible for grant assistance under this scheme. It is not open to me or my Department to depart from the terms of the scheme in individual cases.