Pat Breen
Ceist:202 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason higher education grants are not included in the diploma for public health nursing courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21823/03]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
My Department understands that the Department of Health and Children provides health boards with financial support to facilitate the sponsoring of student nurses pursuing the higher diploma in public health nursing. The question of whether students, undertaking this course without such health board sponsorship, may be eligible for grant assistance under my Department's higher education maintenance grants scheme has been under consideration by my Department.
My Department, however, understands that students applying for places on higher diploma in public health courses must hold a higher diploma in midwifery. Under the terms of my Department's third level student support schemes, maintenance grants are not generally payable to candidates pursuing a second qualification at the same level.