Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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932. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding third level grants in respect of a case (details supplied) the funding available to students in a similar position; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42007/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details in respect of the student referred to by the Deputy, it is not be possible for me to give a definitive response in this case. However, from the information provided, I understand the student referred to by the Deputy commenced her PhD studies prior to 2011/12 and, therefore, was assessed and awarded funding under a prior scheme, i.e. possibly the Higher Education Grant Scheme (HEG Scheme).

Based on that understanding I wish to advise that under the prior schemes postgraduate students were eligible to receive both maintenance and fee grants. Clause 7 of the 2010 HEG Scheme provided that grant aid for postgraduate students was limited to a maximum of four years. It appears the student has exceeded the maximum funding limit and is not eligible for further funding at postgraduate level.