Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare who was on back to education allowance and applied to Student Universal Support Ireland for a full grant, was not approved for a grant towards their fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30886/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Officials in my Department have confirmed with Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that the applicant referred to by the Deputy was issued with an ineligible letter on the 21st September 2012. The applicant specified on his grant application form that he was pursuing a Post Leaving Certificate Course (PLC). Applicants in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) who are pursuing PLC courses are not eligible for maintenance support under the student grant scheme.

The previous Fianna Fail government provided for the introduction of a €200 annual PLC programme participant contribution for in Budget 2011. The following categories of participants are exempt from paying the contribution:

- Full medical card holders in their own right and their dependent children;

- Those who are eligible under the student grant scheme;

- Those in receipt of the BTEA or Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) allowances.

I am aware that some schools/colleges impose a registration fee to cover exam fees, student charges or course equipment which becomes the property of the learner after completion of the course. Such fees are a matter for individual schools and the Vocational Educational Committees which manage the schools.