John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 113: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the support available to a person who is working full time and has been offered a full-time third level education course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12404/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under my Department's student grant schemes, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants where they satisfy the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.

Details of the 2011/12 student grant scheme are due to become available following publication, which is currently planned for end-May 2011. Information and application forms will then be made available on the website, www.studentfinance.ie which also provides comprehensive information on the full range of supports available in further and higher education, including the student grant, the Student Assistance Fund and other relevant supports.

New applicants may apply for grant assistance to their local authority or Vocational Education Committee, depending on their choice of course. Online application will be possible for a number of grant awarding authority areas. Eligible students with particularly low reckonable incomes may also qualify for the special rate or "top-up" grant.