Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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244. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to and if he recognises the significant barrier the €600 fee being charged for a PLC course (details supplied) and that these third level students are unable to apply for a SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26619/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The setting of course fees is a matter for the individual course provider, and the relevant Education and Training Board which manages the school. However, I understand that certain categories of participants are exempt from paying fees such as:

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

- Those who are eligible under the student grant scheme; and

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

The college has advised my Department that the fee charged for the specific course in question covers items such as examination fees, student services, insurance and a sports kit which becomes the participant's personal property after completion of the course.

The student grant scheme, administered by SUSI, provides maintenance grants to PLC students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. Students who meet these conditions can apply to SUSI for financial support.