The Maintenance Grant Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate courses is administered by the Vocational Education Committees on behalf of my Department.
An application for grant assistance, by the candidate referred to by the Deputy, will be assessed with reference to the terms of my Department's Maintenance Grant Scheme for Students Attending Post Leaving Certificate Courses 2006. I wish to draw your attention to Clause 3.2 of the PLC Scheme, it states the following:
"Candidates are ineligible if they already hold a FETAC Level 5 qualification (formerly known as a FETAC (NCVA) Level 2 qualification), a FETAC Level 6 qualification (formerly known as a FETAC (NCVA) Level 3 qualification) or a third level qualification at Level 6 or higher. However, notwithstanding this condition candidates who already hold a qualification no higher than FETAC Level 5 (formerly known as a FETAC (NCVA) Level 2) and are now pursuing a course that offers progression may be deemed eligible for grant aid."
Under this provision, students holding a qualification no higher than a FETAC Level 5 may be considered for grant assistance in respect of an approved PLC course which offers progression.
My Department understands that the candidate referred to by the Deputy has a FÁS qualification, equivalent to FETAC level 6, and is currently pursuing a course at FETAC level 5 at St. Johns College. I regret that under the above provisions of the PLC Scheme the candidate in question is ineligible to receive any funding for the current course as it does not offer progression from the qualification already held.