Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 24 Jun 1999

Vol. 507 No. 1

Written Answers. - Student Support Schemes.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

105 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 170 of 28 January and 416 of 9 February 1999 in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare, there are any circumstances in which a student holding a degree from a university outside Ireland can qualify for lecture or maintenance fees in respect of a further degree course here; if a precedent can be applied in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16237/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

As I have already explained, under the terms of the third level student support schemes, maintenance grants are not payable to candidates who already hold an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second undergraduate degree. Similarly tuition fees are not payable in respect of a second period of college attendance at the same level. These restrictions apply to students who already hold a qualification at any level irrespective of where that qualification was obtained.

As these provisions are of general application, it is not possible to make an exception in any individual case. Furthermore, I am not aware of any relevant precedent case that could be applied in this instance.