Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2004
519 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason an appeal for a HEA grant was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; if the circumstances of the case can be reviewed again; and if the regulations will be reviewed as they are unreasonable in view of the circumstances of this case. [1955/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of my Department's higher education grants scheme, a student is not eligible for grant assistance in respect of a second period of study at the same level, irrespective of whether a grant was paid previously. The scheme also provides that grants may not be paid to candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and are pursuing a second postgraduate qualification.
Notwithstanding this condition, candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and are progressing to a further postgraduate course at a higher level, which represents progression from the level at which the previous postgraduate qualification was attained, may be deemed eligible for grant aid. My Department understands that, in the case cited by the Deputy, progression at postgraduate level is not involved and, accordingly, the student in question is not eligible for grant assistance under the terms of the maintenance grants scheme.
