Vol. 527 No. 5
230 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the assistance he can give a person (details supplied) in County Waterford with regard to a higher education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29075/00]
238 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the assistance he can give to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford in the matter of a higher education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29133/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 238 together.
My Department understands that the student to whom the Deputy refers already holds a third level qualification, a diploma of higher education in nursing awarded by South Bank University, London.
She applied to County Waterford VEC for grant assistance under the terms of the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees 2000.
This scheme 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. The student in question is not eligible for grant assistance under the terms of the scheme as she already holds a third level qualification. She would, however, be eligible to apply for funding under the terms of the student support schemes, if she were to enter a degree level course
The terms and conditions of the student support schemes are of general application and, accordingly, it is not open to me to make exceptions in individual cases such as this.
