Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Pringle for raising this issue. Under the terms of my Department's student grant scheme, grant assistance is available to eligible students attending approved third level courses in approved institutions. An approved course is a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years' duration or a full time postgraduate course of not less than one year's duration pursued in an approved institution. In addition, to qualify for grant assistance, an applicant must satisfy the prescribed conditions of the scheme, including those relating to residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.

Students from this State who are attending undergraduate courses in Northern Ireland can apply for maintenance grants in respect of approved courses at higher national diploma level or higher, which are pursued in colleges approved for the purpose of the student grant scheme. The student grant scheme is not available to students from this State who are attending PLC equivalent courses outside of the State, such as the specific programme referred to by the Deputy.

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