Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 April 2006
373 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if and when a top-up grant or other assistance is payable on foot of a maintenance grant paid in 2004 to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare under the 2004-05 PLC maintenance grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13994/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the maintenance grants scheme for post-leaving certificate courses 2005, grants are available to eligible candidates who are entering approved PLC courses for the first time in the 2005-2006 academic year. Candidates are ineligible if they already hold a FETAC level 5 qualification, formerly known as a FETAC, NCVA, level 2 qualification, a FETAC level 6 qualification, formerly known as a FETAC, NCVA, level 3 qualification, or a third level qualification at level 6 or higher. Notwithstanding this condition, candidates who already hold a qualification no higher than FETAC level 5, formerly known as a FETAC, NCVA, level 2 qualification, and are now pursuing a course that offers progression may be deemed eligible for grant aid.
Under the scheme, a grant is tenable for the normal duration of the approved PLC course and is renewable annually subject to the satisfactory participation, attendance and the approval of the vocational education committee. A record of achievement is generally issued in respect of individual modules of a course, whereas a full award, FETAC level 5, formally known as a FETAC, NCVA, level 2 qualification-level 6 qualification, formally known as FETAC, NCVA, level 3 qualification, is issued were all modules of a particular course have been successfully completed.
My Department understands that the candidate referred to by the Deputy has previously pursued an approved PLC course at FETAC level 5. However, she did not attain the terminal qualification on completing the course. In the circumstances, she may not be deemed as progressing under the terms of the PLC scheme.
