Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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33. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to allow access to SUSI grants to students from Ireland that are currently studying a level 5 equivalent course in a college (details supplied) in view of the fact that students on level 6 courses are currently entitled to the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24463/17]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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This question relates to the thousands of students from Donegal who are attending the North West Regional College in Derry city on level 5 QQI equivalency courses but are unable to access student supports in that regard from the State.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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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.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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The crux of the problem is that students attending PLC equivalent courses outside the State are not entitled to supports. This needs to be examined by the Department. Approximately 2,400 students from Donegal are taking courses in the North West Regional College in Derry. This access to third level education is important to them. While students undertaking a higher national diploma at the North West Regional College can access the student grant scheme, students on the level 5 courses cannot. The purpose of the question is to ask the Minister to put this matter on the Department's agenda, with a view to allowing students taking level 5 courses in the North West Regional College to access SUSI grant supports.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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By way of background, there is an element of international consistency in the way we do this. I understand that all countries adopt a similar approach. Supports for higher education programmes, but not PLC-type programmes, is the consistent practice across most member states of the EU. If one introduces a scheme that extends support to one EU country, one is under obligation to provide a similar level of support to other EU countries. There are a number of problems in regard to what the Deputy is proposing, including what might be expected to be a small extension proving to be a much wider extension because the rules have to be applied consistently across all citizens who have the right to free movement and so on. That is the type of practical obstacle that would arise. Also, the range of PLC is pretty thoroughly covered within the colleges here such that there is a full range of choice available within this jurisdiction.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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The fact that the practice is the same across all countries is not sufficient justification to not do what I am proposing. A different situation pertains in Ireland, taking into account the island of Ireland, the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement. It is not sufficient to say that a range of courses is provided in the South because if that were the case, there would not be 2,400 students taking equivalency courses in the North West Regional College. These courses lead to QQI equivalency qualifications and there are particular circumstances pertaining to Border areas to which consideration should be given. I ask that the Minister give serious consideration to this matter in light of the serious difficulties being experienced by students in Border areas in accessing third level education and getting a start on the educational attainment route, which is evident from the number of students travelling to Derry to access courses because they cannot do so in Donegal.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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There is an issue of reciprocity.

If Ireland provides certain supports for participation in a college overseas there is an expectation that a citizen from overseas has the right of participation in an Irish college. There is a quid pro quofor any extension in this respect and it is not as simple as deciding to pick a country or college and extending support to that place because of its geographic convenience. This suggestion would need to be examined carefully before we could consider it as it would raise an expectation under free movement rules in the EU. When one extends something to another national one does not exclude others. I will, however, ask my officials to look at the matter afresh.