Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has set the income threshold that will apply for eligibility for postgraduate contribution of €2,000 towards fees; if not, when a decision will be made on this matter in view of the fact that many students need to now make decisions on their future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12187/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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A limited number of post graduate students who would previously have qualified under the standard grant thresholds will qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the costs of their fees. There will be a new income threshold for this payment which will be lower than the standard grant threshold. The income threshold for this level of grant is currently being determined in the context of the formulation of the student grant scheme for the 2012/13 academic year.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the professional diploma in education, level 8, course is considered a postgraduate course or an undergraduate course for the purposes of third level grants and fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12188/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) was previously known as a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) was placed on the framework of qualifications at Level 8 with effect from the start of the academic year 2011/12. The course is considered to be a post graduate course for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Free Fees Initiative, whereby the State meets the tuition costs of eligible students, an approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of a minimum duration of two years in an approved third level institution. As the Professional Diploma in Education is a Level 8 post graduate course it does not qualify for funding under the Free Fees initiative.