Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 476: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on a matter (details supplied). [35176/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The grant referred to by the Deputy is determined and administered by Fáilte Ireland. The courses in question were never eligible under the means-tested maintenance grant scheme of my Department. I understand that discussions are currently ongoing between Fáilte Ireland, Institutes of Technology Ireland and the Higher Education Authority in relation to the future management and administration of these courses and the levels of award to be made to graduating students.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the third level student grant schemes grants may not be paid in respect of a repeat period of study except in certain circumstances relating to courses at level 6 or 7. There is provision for a change of mind under the Third Level Maintenance Grants Scheme for Trainees which provides grants for attendance at level 6 Higher Certificate courses - Middle Level Technician Programme and level 7 Ordinary Bachelor Degree courses - Higher Technical and Business Skills Programme in the Institutes of Technology.

Under the change in mind provision of clause 9 of this scheme a candidate who, having passed, failed or not completed the first year of a level 6 or level 7 course, wishes to transfer to a different level 6 or level 7 course, is eligible for a grant in respect of the normal duration of attendance on their new course subject to a maximum of four years funding in all. Clause 9 also enables a candidate who has completed not more than first year of an Honours Bachelor Degree or equivalent Level 8 course may have their grant continued for a maximum of three years on a level 6 Higher Certificate or level 7 Ordinary Bachelor Degree course. Such a person cannot avail of the change of mind provision. I have no plans to depart from the above practice.