Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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230. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure there is financial assistance for students on Education and Training Board courses who are not entitled to social welfare payments or other financial assistance. [25368/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The main financial support available to students attending further and higher education courses is my Department's Student Grant Scheme. Under the student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding, provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution and meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

My Department's student grant scheme provides maintenance grants to Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) students pursuing approved PLC courses in the State. In general, an approved PLC course is defined as a prescribed full-time course in an approved PLC centre.

The eligibility of an individual is a matter for SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine upon receipt of the relevant application form and supporting documentation.

The online application process for 2015/16 is now open.