Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a course (details supplied) will be eligible for funding under the student grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23445/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, approved course, previous academic attainment and means. Under my Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution. An approved course is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of at least two years duration, or a full-time postgraduate course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution. Students who are attending undergraduate courses in an EU Member State, can apply for a maintenance grant in respect of an approved course which is being pursued in an approved institution. I understand that the duration of the course referred to by the Deputy is a one year undergraduate course, which means it does not meet the definition of an approved course for student grant purposes as defined in the scheme.