Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will address the anomaly that has resulted in third level courses being categorised as the same, which means that students on level seven courses are being refused the maintenance grant as it is not seen to be a progression course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44492/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been refused a third level maintenance grant for a level seven course. [44493/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.

The decision on eligibility for student maintenance grants is a matter for the relevant assessing authority, either the local authority or VEC, as appropriate. These bodies do not refer individual applications to my Department, except in exceptional circumstances.

If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a maintenance grant, or that the rate of maintenance grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to the relevant local authority or VEC.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down, in writing, by the relevant local authority or VEC, and remains of the view that the body has not interpreted the schemes correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to my Department.

Clause 9.4 of the TLT Scheme 2008 states that "A candidate who has completed a two year Middle Level Technician (MLT) course is not eligible for a grant in respect of a further two year or three year Higher Technical/Business Skills (HTBS) course, irrespective of whether or not a grant was previously paid, but s/he may be eligible for a grant in respect of the third "add-on" year of a related Higher Technical/Business Skills (HTBS) course".

Should a candidate in the future enter a course at Level 8 or higher, he/she may apply to his/her Local Authority or Vocational Education Committee in order to have his/her eligibility for grant assistance assessed under the terms and conditions of the relevant grant scheme.

In addition, the Student Assistance Fund is designed to assist students who, having commenced a third-level course, experience financial hardship that may render them unable to continue their third-level studies. Applications for funding are made by the individual student to the Access Officer in the institution in which they are studying. The Fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

Section 473A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides tax relief, at the standard rate of tax, for tuition fees paid in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education, including certain approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in non EU countries.

Further details and conditions in relation to this tax relief are available from an individual's Local Tax Office.