Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2017
184. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the full list of degree courses relevant to the area of counselling and psychotherapy available through the public colleges and university system here (details supplied). [15366/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUniversities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997 and the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006. The management of their academic affairs, including the selection and delivery of courses are matters for individual institutions. Accordingly, I have no function in relation to such matters as programme provision and the level of courses provided in the various institutions.
The decision on the type of course and course provider is a matter for each individual student. Prospective students may wish to consult the website of his/her preferred course provider or some of the following websites for information on the relevant courses:
www.Qualifax.ie
www.cao.ie
www.igc.ie - Institute of Guidance Counsellor's website
The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grants Scheme. To qualify for grant support, a student has to meet various criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression. Approved undergraduate courses for the Student Grant Scheme 2016 are prescribed in the Student Support Regulations 2016 and in the Student Support Act 2011. The Regulations prescribe that an approved undergraduate course is a full-time course leading to a major higher education and training award which takes a minimum of two years to complete in an approved institution.
