Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason courses in animation at Ballyfermot College of Further Education, Dublin have not been validated, despite being done under the Dundee University programme for many years, and therefore the almost 90 students involved cannot obtain grants to pursue these courses. [7865/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently approximately 30 students pursuing the two-year Level 8 BA in Animation degree programme validated by Dundee University in Ballyfermot College of Further Education. Ballyfermot College is an approved PLC centre. My Department funds four maintenance grant schemes. Three are at third level: the Higher Education Grants (HEG) Scheme, the Vocational Education Committees' (VEC) Scholarships Scheme and the Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees (TLT). The fourth, the Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) Courses, is for students attending approved courses in approved PLC centres.

Students who are entering approved courses in approved PLC centres for the first time may be eligible for grants under the scheme, where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. However, under the terms and conditions of the scheme, students pursuing degree programmes or who already hold a Level 5 or 6 qualification are ineligible. I understand from the VEC concerned that prospective students are informed of the absence of grant support for the degree courses before they apply for places.