Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the educational course (details supplied) is not a course recognised by his Department and if he appreciates the way this lack of recognition acts as a barrier to accessing educational or social welfare supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10351/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Under the Department's student grant scheme, eligible students may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme.

I understand that the course referred to by the Deputy does not meet these criteria.

The Deputy will appreciate that, in the current economic climate, I am not in a position to consider any extension of the list of approved institutions.

Eligibility for welfare support is determined and administered by the Department of Social Protection. Any changes to its qualifying criteria are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.