Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 762: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Question No. 256 of 22 June 2005, if she will alter the terms of the maintenance grants scheme for post-leaving certificate courses 2005, in order that meritorious cases such as that of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 will be accommodated. [22856/05]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 763: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Question No. 256 of 22 June 2005, if assistance will be given to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 to complete their final year of third level at university; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22857/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 762 and 763 together.

My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students. These are the higher education grants scheme, the vocational education committees' scholarships scheme, the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees and the maintenance grants scheme for students attending post-leaving certificate courses. The HEG scheme is administered by the local authorities under the aegis of my Department, the other three maintenance grant schemes are administered on a similar basis by the VECs.

The PLC scheme prescribes the terms and conditions of funding in respect of students attending courses in approved PLC centres. The other three schemes govern the award of grants to students attending approved courses in approved third level institutions. Grant applicants must be assessed by the awarding bodies with reference to the terms and conditions prescribed in the scheme relevant to the course being pursued and the college being attended.

On the basis of the information submitted, my previous parliamentary response of 22 June to the Deputy outlined the position prescribed under the terms of the PLC scheme for students who already hold a third level qualification. If it is the case that the student concerned will be commencing an approved course in an approved third level institution in the 2005-06 academic year then her eligibility for grant assistance must assessed with reference to the terms and conditions of the relevant third level scheme. In this event she should contact the relevant awarding body concerned with a view to submitting a grant application and establishing her eligibility to grant assistance as soon as possible.

My Department has no plans to alter the terms of the PLC scheme to allow students who already hold a third level qualification to continue to receive PLC grant assistance.