Written answers

Wednesday, 27 June 2007

Department of Education and Science

Higher Education Grants

9:00 pm

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the grants available to a person (details supplied) in County Laois for travel costs and maintenance grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17929/07]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary 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 (TLT) and the Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate Courses (PLC). The decision on eligibility for third level grants is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC.

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. In order to qualify for financial assistance under the Third Level Student Support Schemes operated by my Department, a person must pursue a full-time undergraduate course, which must generally be of at least two years duration, at an approved third level institution.

Apart from the funding provided through the Student Support Maintenance Grant Schemes, financial assistance is also available from my Department for student with disabilities through the Fund for Students with Disabilities. The National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education administers this Fund on behalf of my Department. This Fund aims to assist students with disabilities in third-level institutions and PLC colleges to participate in further and higher education. Grants are provided for students who have serious sensory, physical and/or communicative disabilities.

Applications for funding should be made on behalf of the student by the Disability Officer in the institution. The student referred to by the Deputy should discuss their particular disability, and the equipment or services required, with the Disability Service in Sligo IT.

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