Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1401: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a student (details supplied) who has paid privately for third level education in 2000/01 and obtained a certificate at that time and has now enrolled in a VTOS course and has been advised that they cannot qualify for grant — aid as they have already participated in a VTEC course, even though they never received grant aid at the time. [29771/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) provides full-time second-chance education and training opportunities for unemployed adults who are in receipt of specified social welfare payments for at least six months (156) days. The scheme is funded by my Department and operated through the 33 Vocational Education Committees (VECs).

The Vocational Education Committee (VEC) in question has advised that the person named in the question has enrolled for a Post Leaving Certificate Programme (PLC). As this VEC has a maximum of 60 VTOS places to offer this year, priority is given to students with the lowest educational attainment. The person in question may wish to contact the Department of Social & Family Affairs to see if she is eligible to pursue her PLC course under the Back to Education Allowance Scheme (BTEA).

Candidates who are entering approved PLC courses for the first time can apply for a means tested maintenance grant. Candidates are ineligible if they already hold a FETAC level 5 qualification, FETAC Level 6 qualification or a third-level qualification at Level 6 or higher (or their equivalents). However, notwithstanding this condition, candidates who already hold a qualification no higher than FETAC Level 5 and are now pursuing a course that offers progression may be deemed eligible for grant aid.