Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if in respect of an application by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, a precedent exists for assistance under the higher education grant scheme to persons of similar circumstance; her views on changing the nature of the conditions of the scheme to cater for applicants in these circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28504/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of my Department's maintenance grant schemes, 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 the grant schemes 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. These provisions can only be waived in exceptional circumstances, such as certified serious illness.

My Department understands, from the information provided by the Deputy, that the candidate referred to has previously pursued an undergraduate course, in Hotel Management, without obtaining a terminal qualification, and is now pursuing first year of a second undergraduate course, in nursing. Unfortunately, the candidate will be ineligible for funding until she has completed an equivalent period of study on the current course. When the equivalent period of study is completed the candidate may become eligible to apply, and be assessed, for funding for the current undergraduate course.