Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 31 Jan 1990

Vol. 395 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Recognised Colleges for Grant Aid.

Andrew Boylan

Ceist:

17 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the College of Further Studies in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, is not one of the listed colleges for third level grants either from Cavan County Council or from the European Regional Fund operated by Cavan Vocational Education Committee; if she will include this college on the list of recognised colleges for grant aid as it caters for a large number of students in the Cavan/Monaghan and Sligo/Leitrim catchment area; her views on whether it would benefit cross-Border relations where contact with both sides and communities would exist from an early age; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Michael D'Arcy

Ceist:

42 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the College of Further Studies in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, is not one of the listed colleges, for third level grants; and if she will include this college for grant aid purposes in the future.

Mrs. O'Rourke

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 42 together.

My Department have received no request to have the College of Further Studies in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, recognised for the purpose of awarding vocational education committees scholarship or local authority higher education grants.

Should such a request be received, accompanied by full supporting details, my Department will be prepared to examine the matter.

Mr. Boylan

I raised this question because the college in Enniskillen is being widely used by students for courses which are also available only in Bolton Street, Dublin, which is very inconvenient for people living in Cavan and the Cavan-Leitrim border area. Will the Minister initiate the necessary proceedings to include the college for grant-aid purposes along with other colleges in Northern Ireland which are grant-aided? Why has the Minister decided that this college will not be included?

Mrs. O'Rourke

They have never requested grant aid but if a request is received, I will give it favourable consideration.

Mr. J. Bruton

I am surprised that the Minister has not received such a request because there is a widespread demand for this facility.

Mrs. O'Rourke

The Deputy may be as surprised as he likes but I have not received such a request.