Vol. 509 No. 5
154 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a grant made to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow under the maintenance grant scheme for trainees on the ESF aided third level programme was later withdrawn in view of the fact it was confirmed by a letter dated 15 September 1999; the steps, if any, he will take to support this applicant; and if his Department will make direct contact with this person.
Under the terms of the European Social Fund-aided third level courses maintenance grants scheme for trainees, a trainee may in general receive funding for the approved duration of one ESF aided course. A trainee who has completed a two year middle level technician course is not eligible for a grant in respect of a further two year MLT or three year higher technical/business skills course but may be eligible for a grant in respect of the third "add on" year of a related diploma, HTBS, course.
As the applicant in question was funded under the ESF maintenance grant scheme for trainees in 1990-91 and 1991-92 to complete a two year MLT course in design at Dublin Institute of Technology he does not qualify for funding for a further MLT or HTBS course.
I understand from Carlow VEC that the applicant was incorrectly advised by letter, in September, that he would qualify for funding for the final year of his course at Carlow Institute of Technology. He has since been advised by the VEC that he does not qualify for funding under the terms of the scheme and will be advised accordingly, by letter, in due course.
