Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 876: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to a person who undertook a business studies course between September 2004 and May 2005, and who obtained a maintenance grant in respect of same, but did not complete the two year course and is now undertaking a course in general nursing in England; if their grant for undertaking such a nursing course will be clarified; if they will be eligible for the said grant from September 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14837/07]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 932: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position, in relation to a person who undertook a business studies course between September 2004 and May 2005, and who obtained a maintenance grant in respect of same, but did not complete the two year course and is now undertaking a course in general nursing in England; if in relation to their grant, the undertaking for such a nursing course will be clarified; and if they will be eligible for the said grant from September 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15111/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 876 and 932 together.

Under the terms of my Departments Higher Education Grants Scheme, candidates who have previously pursued an undergraduate course approved for the purposes of the Higher Education Grants Scheme, the Vocational Education Committees' Scholarship Scheme or the Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees (formerly ESF Scheme) shall not receive a grant under this scheme until they have completed an equivalent period of study at undergraduate level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. Similarly tuition fees under the Free Fees Initiative, are not payable in respect of a second period of college attendance on a course at the same level. This provision can only be waived in exceptional circumstances such as certified serious illness. The Free Fees Initiative does not extend to study outside of Ireland.

My Department understands, from the information provided on the candidate referred to by the Deputy, that the candidate has already pursued one year of a two-year business studies course and is now pursuing first year of a course in general nursing in England. Unfortunately, the candidate will be ineligible for funding until s/he has completed the equivalent period of study on the general nursing course. When the equivalent period of study is completed the candidate will become eligible to apply, and be assessed, for funding for the second course.