Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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106. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will extend the timeframe of a scholarship offer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23617/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms and conditions of the Third Level Irish Scholarship Scheme, designed specifically to recognise achievement through Irish, scholarships are awarded annually to students from the Gaeltacht. The awards paid are equivalent to the maximum standard rate of grant payable under the Student Grant Scheme and no means test applies in the case of these scholarships.

The scholarship is awarded for the duration of undergraduate studies and postgraduate studies, provided that the individual progresses to postgraduate within 3 years of graduation. Students who receive this scholarship have considerable flexibility in that they can defer commencement of their postgraduate studies for up to three academic years and still avail of the scholarship award.

The scholarship holder to whom the Deputy refers is currently in her third year of deferral. Unfortunately it is not possible to make exceptions to the terms and conditions of the Third Level Irish Scholarship Scheme, which are equally applicable to all beneficiaries of the scheme.