Written answers

Thursday, 11 November 2010

Department of Education and Science

Gaeltacht Scholarships

6:00 pm

Photo of Pádraic McCormackPádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a person (details supplied) who was offered a Gaeltacht scholarship from her Department but shortly afterwards the scholarship was withdrawn; if she will explain the reason for the withdrawal of this scholarship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42154/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department offers Gaeltacht Scholarships on a competitive basis to the top 15 students from Gaeltacht areas who, amongst other things, have attended an all-Irish second level school, sat their Leaving Certificate through Irish and reached a certain minimum standard in the Leaving Certificate examination. A student must also take at least 5 of their subjects in the leaving Certificate through Irish and this must be confirmed in his/her application for the scholarship.

Unfortunately, due to a computer error in the selection process for these Scholarships this year, the student to which the Deputy refers was offered a Scholarship in error. On becoming aware of the situation, the scholarship awards were re-checked and it transpired that the student had, in fact, only taken three subjects through Irish. This means that his application under the Scheme was invalid. My Department had no option but to withdraw the Scholarship offer on this basis. It was explained to the student, and I am sure that the Deputy will understand this, that in the interest of fairness to the student to whom the scholarship should otherwise have been awarded, the Department must abide strictly by the rules as outlined in the scholarship scheme. The award was subsequently made to that student.

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