Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 709: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a back to education allowance or a higher education grant is payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31287/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 already hold a postgraduate qualification and are pursuing an undergraduate qualification cannot be considered for funding. In addition, persons pursuing a second undergraduate degree cannot, in general, avail of the Free Fees Initiative.

Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance is determined and administered by the Department of Social Protection and is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.