Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 212: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science if a person who already holds a primary degree but cannot secure work due to the fact that their qualification is in architectural drawing would be entitled to grant aid if they return to third level to pursue another qualification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17271/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Financial assistance is available to students under the maintenance grant 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. However, financial assistance is available 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 undergraduate qualification and are pursuing a second undergraduate qualification cannot be considered for funding.