Sean Fleming
Ceist:340 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Science when an ESF grant in respect of a students (details supplied) in County Laois for third year in an institute of technology will be paid in full. [14310/00]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
I understand that the student referred to by the Deputy received grant assistance from County Laois VEC under the 1996 European Social Fund-aided third level courses maintenance grants scheme for trainees while attending the first and second year of a three year diploma course at Galway/Mayo IT. She commenced third year in the 1998-99 academic year, left the course in January 1999 and re-commenced third year in 1999-2000.
Under the terms and conditions of the ESF-aided third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees, grant assistance is not payable in respect of a repeat period of study on the same course. However, officials at County Laois VEC have confirmed that the student in question did not submit an application for grant assistance in respect of the third year of her course either in 1998-99 or 1999-2000. I would suggest, therefore, that she be advised to contact Laois VEC, without delay, in order that her eligibility for grant assistance for the third year of her course may be assessed.