Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 936: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the decision not to approve a degree course for grant purposes for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10741/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The third level student support schemes administered by the local authorities and the vocational education committees, under the aegis of my Department, offer financial assistance to eligible students attending approved third level courses. Students entering approved courses for the first time are, generally speaking, eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, and nationality.

An approved course for the purpose of the schemes means a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years' duration and a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year's duration pursued in an approved institution.

As the course referred to by the Deputy does not meet the definition of an approved course for the purposes of the schemes, it has not been approved for inclusion in the maintenance schemes. The course referred to by the Deputy is not recognised for grant assistance purposes.

The terms and conditions of the schemes are reviewed by my Department annually and revised where necessary. Additional courses may be approved under the schemes only where they meet the prescribed definition of an approved course.