Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 643: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 will qualify for a higher education grant to study for a full-time masters programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25556/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department fund three means tested maintenance grant schemes for third level education students in respect of attendance on approved courses in approved third level institutions and one grant scheme in respect of Post Leaving Certificate courses:

(a) The Higher Education Grants Scheme

(b) The Vocational Education Committees' Scholarship Scheme

(c) The Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees

(d) Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) Courses

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. It appears no such advise or instruction has, to date, been sought in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy.

The student referred to by the Deputy should contact their local authority directly to establish eligibility under the relevant grant scheme.