Higher Education Grants.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2006

Wednesday, 25 January 2006

Ceisteanna (1117)

Mary Upton

Ceist:

1224 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which the review of her Department’s policy towards persons holding non-vocational postgraduate degrees in law seeking higher education grants for the vocational barrister-at-law degree at the King’s Inns which she referred to in Parliamentary Questions Nos. 149 of 14 April 2005, 397 of 26 April 2005, 607 of 30 June 2005 and 254 of 26 October 2005 is progressing; the outcome of same; when same will be concluded; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) presently enrolled in the King’s Inns may have to cease their studies unless the outcome of this review is determined soon. [40212/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

Following consideration of information supplied by the Honourable Society of the King's Inns, it has been decided that candidates entering the King's Inns barrister-at-law course who already hold a masters degree in law as their highest qualification, will be recognised as progressing under the terms and conditions of the higher education grants scheme 2005. This will allow such candidates, including the candidate to whom the Deputy refers, to be considered for funding from the academic year 2005-06. It will bring the conditions for progression in respect of this particular course into line with the arrangements in place in respect of the professional practice course of the Incorporated Law Society.

Question No. 1225 answered with QuestionNo. 1222.