Vol. 557 No. 1
307 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the assistance his Department will provide to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, who has to attend a course in Trinity College, Dublin, to learn sign language; if the cost of travel or accommodation will be covered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21582/02]
The course to which the Deputy refers, the diploma in Irish sign language, is a two year full-time course and as such is an approved course for the purposes of the third level student maintenance grants means tested scheme. In addition, it is open to the student to discuss her circumstances with the college access officer who may be in a position to provide discretionary help for students in financial difficulties. The special initiatives for disadvantaged adults grant scheme is also provided to vocational education committees to enable them to offer assistance on a discretionary basis to disadvantaged students for fees, books, registration and travel, etc. Assistance may be sought by making contact with the adult education organiser in County Kilkenny VEC.
