Vol. 471 No. 7
253 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education the support, if any, which is available from her Department in respect of third-level education fees for a County Meath student who is attending Elmwood College in Fife, Scotland, to study green keeper-golf course management in view of the fact that there is no such course available in this country and that fees for this college are £750 per term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21612/96]
Under the third level student support schemes fees are only payable for eligible students attending approved courses in Ireland, including Northern Ireland. Therefore the student in question is not eligible for grant assistance towards tuition fees.
Under the 1996 schemes, maintenance grants have been extended to students attending approved courses in other EU member states. In general, approved courses are recognised third level courses at undergraduate level of at least two years duration. I understand from the British council that the course in question is not recognised as a third level course by the Scottish education office. Therefore the student would not be eligible for a maintenance grant under the student support schemes.
