Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if assistance can be offered to a person (details supplied) in relation to the post leaving certificate maintenance grant clause 3.2 taking into account the time passed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43120/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The PLC Scheme prescribes the terms and conditions of funding in respect of students attending courses in approved PLC Centres. Students are eligible to be considered for grant assistance in respect of one approved PLC Course. Clause 3.2 of the PLC Scheme sets out the circumstances under which grant assistance may be awarded in respect of subsequent study at PLC Level i.e. where a candidate already holds a qualification, no higher than FETAC Level 5, and is now pursuing a course that offers progression which may be deemed eligible for grant aid.

Under the terms of the PLC Scheme a grant may not be paid in respect of a second period of attendance at the same level for a course approved for the purposes of this scheme, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. However, a student may qualify if he/she is progressing to a higher level course.

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.