Education and Training Boards

Tuesday, 27 February 2024

Questions (638)

Alan Dillon

Question:

638. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if grants are available for students who attend modern foreign language courses through ETB's; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8887/24]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

SOLAS has advised that modern foreign languages courses (French, German, Spanish, Italian) are offered as part of some Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) and other programmes such as the Back to Education Initiative and Community Education. Students pursuing PLC courses may qualify for maintenance grants under the SUSI PLC Grant Scheme if they satisfy the scheme conditions. The €200 PLC levy was removed with effect from September 2022 and Budget 2024 has provided for PLC fees to be removed with effect from next September.

Alternatively, students may, depending on the course of study and their individual circumstances qualify for the Back to Education Allowance administered by the Department of Social Protection or an ETB Training Allowance.