Higher Education Grants.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 November 2008

Tuesday, 11 November 2008

Questions (513)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

594 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Wexford would have qualified for admission to the third level course of their first choice in 2007 but for the fact that their leaving certificate biology was incorrect (details supplied); if his Department will accept responsibility for the consequences of the error in marking the student’s biology paper; if he will sanction third level funding for the entire of the student’s course of first choice studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39202/08]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Batt O’Keeffe)

The decision on eligibility for student maintenance grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority, either the local authority or VEC, as appropriate. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department, except in exceptional circumstances.

My Department contacted Wexford VEC, the awarding body in this case, and was advised that the issue has been resolved.