Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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205. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to change the rules governing SUSI by which it will fund a diploma course in an approved college of further education but not the subsequent degree course should a student choose to continue in their studies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47851/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the college to which she refers, is an approved Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) centre which is managed and funded by City of Dublin ETB. Post Leaving Certificate Centres provide further education courses up to Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). However, my Department has facilitated the provision of a visual media course accredited by the University of Dundee, as the equivalent of a Level 8 on the NFQ for a number of years and continues to do so as an exceptional measure. 

Section 7 of the Student Support Act, 2011 outlines the position with regard to approved institutions for the purposes of student grants.

This particular PLC college is comprehended within Section 7(1)(d) of the Act as an education institution in the State in receipt of grants out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas for the provision of post-leaving certificate courses. I have no plans to designate further education centres as approved third level institutions for the purposes of the student grant scheme.

I understand that prospective students are informed of the absence of grant support for the degree courses before they apply for places and through the college website.