James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Longford will be entitled to a third level grant in view of the fact that they have been grant aided for the past four years in respect of their third level studies and is now studying for a masters degree, having been denied funding by the Health Service Executive, although this has been guaranteed due to their on-going medical history. [32777/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds three maintenance grant schemes for third level students which are administered by the Local Authorities and the Vocational Education Committees. These are the Higher Education Grants Scheme, the Vocational Education committees' Scholarship Scheme, the Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees and the Maintenance Grants Scheme for Students attending Post Leaving Certificate Courses.

The Higher Education Grants Scheme is administered by the Local Authorities. The other three schemes are administered by the Vocational Education Committees. Under the terms of the maintenance grants schemes grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.

As the decision on eligibility for a higher education grant is a matter for the relevant local authority or VEC to determine it will be necessary for the candidate referred to by the Deputy to contact Longford VEC directly to have his eligibility assessed.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a third level grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford who is in the second year of their undergraduate course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32779/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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On 21 September 2009 a reply issued to the candidate referred to by the Deputy in respect of his appeal.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the lack of facilities for professional dance education here and the high tuition fees faced by Irish students wishing to pursue a qualification in dance abroad; the assistance, grants or bursaries available to Irish students in such circumstances who are forced to pursue their studies abroad; and if he will assist a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [32806/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Universities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous institutions and my Department does not have any function in their day to day operational affairs or in relation to decisions concerning course provision. However, I understand that the University of Limerick offers programmes in Dance at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. There are also a number of VECs which offer various PLC programmes in Performing Arts.

In relation to support available for students studying abroad, my Department's student maintenance grant schemes provide maintenance grants to undergraduate students pursuing approved third level courses in other E.U. Member States.

An approved undergraduate course in this context is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration pursued in a university or third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in another EU Member State, with the exception of the following: (i) courses in Colleges of Further and Higher Education (other than courses which are at Higher National Diploma level or higher); (ii) courses provided in a college which are offered in private commercial third level colleges in the State and which are validated by that College; (iii) courses in colleges akin to private commercial colleges in Ireland.

Where a grant application is made in respect of a course being pursued in a third-level institution abroad, such as dance studies, it is a matter for the awarding body (Local Authority or VEC) to satisfy itself regarding the status of the institution and as to whether the course and institution meet the terms of the relevant scheme. In relation to tuition fees, there is provision for tax relief, at the standard rate in respect of approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in other E.U. Member States. Further details and conditions in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners. I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, that grants and bursaries for persons studying dance are allocated through the Arts Council and that details of the funding schemes are available on the Council's website: www.artscouncil.ie.