Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
80. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that students at a college (details suppplied) in Dublin 10 will have access to Irish certification and be eligible to apply for grants. [25048/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the College referred to by the Deputy is an approved post-leaving certificate centre which is managed and funded by City of Dublin Vocational Educational Committee from funding provided by my Department. Post-leaving certificate centres provide further education courses up to Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications. However, my Department has facilitated the provision by the college of a course accredited by a third level institution at Level 8 on the NFQ for a number of years and continues to do so as an exceptional measure. Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 outlines the position with regard to approved institutions for the purposes of student grants. The college is comprehended within section 7(1)(d) of the Act as an education institution in the State in receipt of grants out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas for the provision of post-leaving certificate courses. I have no plans to designate further education centres as approved third level institutions for the purposes of the student grant scheme.
