Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason her Department is refusing to pay Gaeltacht scholarships to students who are attending universities and studying in their chosen subjects, where not all of that course is taught through Irish; if this is the reversal of a previous position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25832/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I understand the Deputy's question relates to An Scéim Scoláireachtaí Gaeilge Tríú Leibhéal: Teoranta, under which my Department awards annually, on a competitive basis, twenty scholarships to students who have, among other things, attended an all-Irish second-level school and reached a certain minimum standard in the Leaving Certificate.

These scholarships are only tenable in respect of courses specified in the scheme which must be pursued entirely through the medium of Irish.

Under the terms of this scheme — An Scéim Scoláireachtaí Gaeilge Tríú Leibhéal: Teoranta — the requirement whereby scholarships are only paid to those pursuing an approved course entirely through the medium of Irish has not altered this year.

My Department offers scholarships under two other schemes — Scéim Scoláireachtaí Triú Leibhéal do Scoláirí ón nGaeltacht and Scéim Scoláireachtaí Gaeilge Triú Leibhéal (Neamh Theoranta) — to students who have, among other things, attended an all-Irish second-level school and reached a certain minimum standard in the Leaving Certificate. For each of these schemes the recipients are not required to pursue their third level studies through the medium of Irish.