Dáil Éireann - Volume 503 - 27 April, 1999

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Mr. G. Reynolds Mr. G. Reynolds

1444

282. Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a student who [1444] obtains a full law degree by studying for a BA degree and then goes on to do an LLB is automatically excluded from applying for an independent mature grant as opposed to a student who obtains a full law degree by studying for a BCL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10996/99]

Mr. Martin Mr. Martin

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin): Under the terms of the third level student support schemes, grants are generally not payable to candidates who already hold an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a second undergraduate degree.

Accordingly, if a student pursues an LLB as their first undergraduate degree, she or he will be eligible to apply for a higher education maintenance grant. However, where a candidate pursues a BA degree and then pursues an LLB as a second undergraduate degree course she or he will not qualify for funding towards the second undergraduate degree course. The LLB is offered as a post-graduate course in NUI Galway, in which case students who already hold an undergraduate degree are eligible to apply for grant assistance in respect of the post-graduate course. However, these students would then be precluded from availing of further grant assistance for other post-graduate courses.

I have outlined the general position in my reply and would ask the Deputy, if he has any specific instance in mind, to contact me or my officials to have the matter further investigated.

Dáil Éireann 503 Written Answers. Higher Education Grants.

Questions

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