Michael Creed
Ceist:381 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork is not entitled to free fees for his third level course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24921/99]
Written Answers. - Third Level Fees.
I understand that the student to whom the Deputy refers is attending an add-on diploma course at the Tralee Institute of Technology which is provided under the terms of the ESF-aided middle level technician/higher technical business skills programme. This programme applies to those who require higher level initial education and training to enhance their employment prospects in line with the Government's sectoral employment priorities.
Under the terms of the programme tuition fees are not payable to students who have completed more than first year of a degree level course. As the student to whom the Deputy refers has already completed more than one year of a degree course at Cork Institute of Technology he is ineligible for free fees for his course at Tralee Institute of Technology. There are similar provisions regarding the award of a maintenance grant under the ESF-aided maintenance grants scheme for which, I understand, the student in question has also applied.