Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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207. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make a determination as to the eligibility of a course for the purposes of the student grant with Student Universal Support Ireland (details supplied); if the reason the grant has been allocated to a large number of students in this course and refused to others; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this course is a full time, FETAC recognised course that leads to a qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55535/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Approved undergraduate courses for the Student Grant Scheme 2013 are prescribed in the Student Support Regulations 2013 and in the Student Support Act 2011.

The Regulations prescribe that an approved undergraduate course is a full-time course leading to a major higher education and training award which takes a minimum of two years to complete in an approved institution.

The Dental Nursing course referred to by the Deputy is not approved for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme as it does not lead to a major higher education and training award.

Officials in my Department have been advised by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) that any awards made in respect of this course were done so in error. The Deputy will appreciate that some errors may inevitably arise when handling a high volume of applications within a relatively short timeframe. SUSI will be contacting applicants directly in relation to this matter.