Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1098: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the options available in respect of pursuing a higher diploma in education in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1622/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Financial assistance is available to students under the Third Level Student Support Schemes, which are administered by the Local Authorities and Vocational Education Committees on behalf of my Department. Students who are entering approved courses, for the first time, are eligible for grants where they satisfy the relevant conditions as to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.

Under the terms of the Higher Education Grant Scheme a student is not eligible for grant assistance in respect of a second period of study at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. The scheme also provides that grants may not be paid to candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and are pursuing a second postgraduate qualification.

However, in December 2000 clause 7.7 of the Higher Education Grant Scheme was amended to provide financial assistance to eligible candidates who already hold a postgraduate qualification and who wish to enter a further postgraduate course, at a higher level, which represents progression from the level at which the first qualification was attained.

The progression route at postgraduate level, for grant purposes, is as follows: Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma ? Masters ? PhD/Doctorate Candidates who hold a masters qualification and are currently pursuing a postgraduate qualification cannot be considered for funding.

There are no plans at present to change the current arrangements. Any such proposal would have to be considered in the light of existing resources and other competing demands in the education sector.