The statutory framework for maintenance grants under the higher education grants scheme, which is set out in the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992, provides for means-tested higher education grants in order to assist students to attend full-time third level education. A similar condition exists in the other third level maintenance grant schemes.
Under the terms of the free fees initiative, whereby the State meets the tuition costs of eligible students, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of a minimum duration of two years in an approved third level institution.
Part-time courses are therefore not approved courses under the terms of the maintenance grant schemes or the free fees initiative. As the person to whom the Deputy refers is pursuing a part-time course, he is ineligible for funding under the third level maintenance grants schemes, or the free fees initiative.
There is no scheme operated under the aegis of my Department to meet the costs of tuition fees on part-time courses.
The fund for students with disabilities, which is administered on behalf on my Department by the national office for equity for access to third level education, aims to assist students with disabilities in third level institutions and PLC colleges to participate in full-time further and higher education. The purpose of the fund is to provide students who have serious sensory, physical and-or communicative disabilities, with grant assistance towards the cost of special equipment, special materials and technological aids, targeted transport services, personal assistants and sign language interpreters. The scheme does not provide for the payment of tuition fees.