Rory O'Hanlon
Ceist:733 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will recognise a course (details supplied) at Armagh College of Higher Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25903/01]
Written Answers. - Course Recognition.
The vocational education committees scholarship scheme administered by the various vocational education committees, under the aegis of my Department, offers financial assistance to eligible students attending approved third level courses in approved institutions, including certain institutions in Northern Ireland. An approved course, for the purposes of the VEC scheme, is generally a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years' duration or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year's duration pursued in an approved third level institution. The institutions approved under the scheme are generally publicly-funded third level colleges offering full-time courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Each year the approved third level institutions are listed in the VEC scheme. The Armagh College of Further and Higher Education is not, however, an approved institution under the scheme. Securing approval under the scheme is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant college authorities. My Department will forward details of the VEC scheme to the college authorities in order to facilitate their consideration of the matter.