In general, under the terms of the higher education grants scheme and the free fees initiative a student will not receive grant aid or free fees for a second period of study at the same level, except in the case of second chance students returning after a break of at least five years or in exceptional circumstances such as certified serious illness. They may, however, have grant aid or free fees continued once the equivalent period of time spent on their original course has elapsed.
This position differs to that of students pursuing courses funded under the European Social Fund aided middle level technician and higher technical business skills programmes. The ESF-aided middle level technician programme consists of one or two year courses up to national certificate level and the higher technical/business skills programme consists of three year national diploma and one year "add-on" diploma level courses. The programmes apply to those who require higher level initial education and training to enhance their employment prospects. In general, free tuition and a means tested maintenance grant are provided for the approved duration of one ESF-aided course only.
However, subject to a maximum duration of four years in all, where trainees have passed, failed or not completed the first year of a course, they are allowed to transfer to a different course and receive a grant for the normal duration of the new course. Trainees who have completed not more than the first year of a degree level course are eligible to receive free tuition for a maximum of a further three years on an ESF-aided MLT and HTBS course.
These regulations governing the payment of tuition fees for ESF-aided MLT and HTBS courses form part of the operational programme for human resources and are part of the community support framework 1994-9.
The specific figures required by the Deputy are not available within my Department.