Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Education and Science

Higher Education Grants

11:00 pm

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the fact that there is a gap of one year between the two Law Society professional practice courses, her plans to change the status from being viewed as one continuous course to two separate courses for the purpose of higher education grants. [11613/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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When the decision was made to include the Law Society's professional practice course under the higher education grant scheme, regard was paid to the structure of the course. I have no plans to change the status of the course under the relevant third level grants schemes.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department reviews the schemes on an ongoing basis. In this regard, it will be having discussions with relevant interests, including the Law Society of Ireland.

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made following reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 298 of 14 December 2005 and 269 of 15 February 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11635/06]

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 495: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made following reply to Parliamentary Question Nos. 298 of 14 December 2005 and 269 of 15 February 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12237/06]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 451 and 495 together.

The bachelor of science in nautical science is a three-year ab-initio course in Cork Institute of Technology and students are based at the National Maritime College of Ireland, NMCI. The course programme is as follows: stage 1 — 36 weeks based in the NMCI; stage 2 — 15 months sea service training aboard ship; and stage 3 — 35 weeks based in NMCI. A candidate's eligibility for financial assistance is assessed under the terms of my Department's third level maintenance grant scheme for trainees, TLT, 2005.

Officials in my Department have spoken to officials in Cork Institute of Technology and have been informed that there is a scheme that provides limited financial support for trainee engineering and officer cadets and for other junior officer training. The current scheme provides limited financial support to merchant marine trainees at the National Maritime College of Ireland and is funded by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. These grants cover the cost of mandatory courses and fees that are not covered by the Department of Education and Science and are needed to bring a trainee to his or her 'Officer of the Watch' certificate of competency.

There is also a training grant paid on behalf of the candidate when they are at sea during the course. The grant is paid under the Irish seafarers educational scheme, ISEAS. The administration of the scheme is conducted by the Irish Maritime Development Office, IMDO. The IMDO has confirmed that the financial assistance provided through the ISEAS is a Department of Transport grant for the training of merchant navy cadets, and is managed by the IMDO on behalf of the Department of Transport.

Clause 2.1 of the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees, 2005 states as follows:

The Vocational Education Committee shall award grants to eligible candidates in accordance with the terms of this scheme. A candidate shall not be eligible to hold a grant under this scheme if she or he holds another award payable from public funds in Ireland or from other EU member states. Such awards payable from public funds do not include awards to candidates under the student assistance fund, the millennium partnership fund and the fund for students with disabilities.

As a result candidates on the sea service training aboard ship, stage 2 of the programme, as part of the bachelor of science in nautical science who are in receipt of funding under the Irish seafarers educational scheme, ISEAS, are ineligible to receive funding, for this period of the programme, under the third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees 2005.

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