Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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410. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 23 June 2016, if a leaving certificate is sufficient for consideration by the admissions office at UCD; if the person is successful in obtaining a college place, if he or she could apply for a grant under the pilot support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24887/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that universities in Ireland are autonomous institutions and therefore have responsibility for the day to day management of their own affairs, including issues relating to admissions.

The Deputy will appreciate that, in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form and supporting documentation, it is not possible to say whether or not a particular student would qualify for support under the Pilot Support Scheme. To qualify for this scheme, prospective students have to meet a number of criteria, including a requirement to have:

- 5 years in the Protection system at the 31st of August 2016;- 5 years in the Irish school system as at the 31st of August 2016; and- have obtained a Leaving Certificate.

The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2016/17 academic year is the 4th of November 2016. Application forms can be accessed at www.education.ie/en/Learners/Services/Pilot-Support-Scheme/.