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Third Level Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021

Tuesday, 25 May 2021

Questions (465)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

465. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason students from Ballyfermot College of Further Education that have spent two years on a higher national diploma advanced production and design course and want to continue onto a BA hons visual media (game design) are not eligible for the SUSI grant in order to undertake the degree course (details supplied); and if the anomaly will be addressed. [27906/21]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the college to which he refers, is an approved Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) centre which is managed and funded by City of Dublin ETB. Post Leaving Certificate Centres provide further education courses up to Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). However, my Department has facilitated the provision of a visual media course accredited by the University of Dundee, as the equivalent of a 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.

This particular PLC 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. Further education centres are not designated as approved third level institutions for the purposes of the student grant scheme.

I understand that prospective students are informed of the absence of grant support for the degree courses before they apply for places and through the college website.

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