Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the Student Support Bill intends to provide financial assistance under the higher education grants scheme to students attending approved private third level education facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39040/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Higher Education Grants Scheme operates under the Local Authorities (Higher Education Grants) Acts, 1968 to 1992. Each year, the scheme specifies a list of approved institutions for grants purposes. Private commercial colleges operating on a "for profit" basis are not generally approved for grants purposes.

Section 8 of the Student Support Bill as published makes provision for the Minister, in certain circumstances and taking certain matters into account, to prescribe an educational institution as being an approved institution for grants purposes. However, I have no plans to extend the scope of the student grant schemes to private colleges operated on a "for profit" basis at this time.

John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 154: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason her Department advised Limerick County Council to include a once-off way leave compensation payment when calculating means for the purpose of determining qualification for a higher education grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick [39074/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that my Department received a general query from Limerick County Council with regard to treatment of way leave compensation for the purpose of calculation of reckonable means under the student grant schemes. The position as outlined in the application form and guidance notes is that disposal of assets and rights should be included in calculating reckonable income for grant purposes.

The Deputy will appreciate, however, that the decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant grant awarding authority i.e. the applicant's local authority or VEC. Where a grant application is refused, the reason for the refusal is given by the grant awarding authority. An applicant may appeal the decision to the relevant local authority or VEC. Where the grant awarding authority decides to reject the appeal, the applicant may appeal this decision to my Department by submitting an appeal form outlining clearly the grounds for the appeal. No appeal has been received by my Department to date from the candidate referred to by the Deputy.

John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 155: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason a course (details supplied) is not grant aided [39076/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The course referred to by the Deputy has not been approved as it has not been demonstrated that it represents academic progression from the qualification required for entry to the course.