Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 185: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify whether a named qualification (details supplied) is recognised under the FETAC system; if so, the level rating of this course for the purposes of a higher education grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34219/11]

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

The qualification referred to by the Deputy is awarded by an awarding body from outside the State and not by FETAC. The awarding body in question had a number of awards aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications in 2009, including a number of awards in the field of beauty therapy. However, the particular award title referred to by the Deputy is not included in the list of aligned awards. The principal financial support available to students in further and higher education is the student grant. Students who are entering approved courses are eligible for financial assistance where they satisfy the relevant conditions including those relating to residency, means, nationality and previous academic attainment. I understand that the college referred to by the Deputy is a private college and as such would not have been included in the list of approved institutions for student grant purposes.