Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a detailed re-examination of an application for a higher education grant will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the reason the five year old rule is being applied in this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11298/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes for third level and further education students. These are the higher education grants, HEG, scheme, the vocational education committees', VEC, 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 on behalf of my Department. The other three schemes are administered by the vocational education committees.

Generally speaking, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. An approved third level course for the purpose of the HEG and the VEC scholarship 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. The schemes outline their respective courses which are approved for grant purposes.

The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department except in exceptional cases where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular clause in the relevant scheme is desired. If an individual applicant considers that she or he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one she or he may appeal to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the relevant local authority or VEC, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his or her case, a letter outlining the position may be sent to my Department. Alternatively, as already indicated, the local authority or VEC may, in exceptional circumstances, seek clarification on issues from my Department.

Under the terms of the third level student support schemes, clause 3.3 of the higher education grants scheme, a second chance student is defined as a student who, having attended but not successfully completed an approved course, is returning following a break of at least five years in order to pursue an approved course at the same level. I understand that the student referred to by the Deputy previously pursued a postgraduate course without securing a terminal qualification and subsequently commenced a further postgraduate course. As it is understood that the student did not have a five year break between the relevant postgraduate courses the candidate is not eligible to be considered for funding again until an equivalent period of study at postgraduate level has been completed.