Written answers

Tuesday, 18 May 2010

Department of Education and Science

Higher Education Grants

9:00 am

Photo of Ulick BurkeUlick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 521: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will clarify the position in which students who had applied for a higher education maintenance grant who already have a primary degree and higher diploma in education and want to progress to further studies by undertaking a careers guidance diploma and have been informed by their local authority that they are not eligible for a grant in view of the fact that these two courses are classified at the same level while the National Qualifications Authority's opinion differs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20124/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary 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 diploma qualification and are pursuing a second diploma qualification cannot be considered for funding.

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