Conor Lenihan
Ceist:588 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if funding will be provided for lay persons who attend one year undergraduate certificate courses in theology and spirituality. [9927/99]
Written Answers. - Student Support Schemes.
Under the free fees initiative, tuition fees are payable in respect of eligible students who are attending full-time undergraduate courses, other than European Social Fund – ESF – aided courses, which must generally be of at least two years' duration, at approved third level institutions.
Similarly, to qualify for financial assistance under the schemes of third level student support, a person must be pursuing a full time undergraduate course, which must generally be of at least two years duration, at an approved third level institution.
While my Department does not have any specific request in this regard, any extension of the existing arrangements could only be considered in the light of overall resource constraints and the competing demands within the education sector.