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Dáil Éireann - Volume 541 - 09 October, 2001 Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants. Ms Shortall Ms Shortall 521. Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students from each local authority area in receipt of higher education maintenance grants for the past two academic years for which figures are available. [23260/01] Dr. Woods Dr. Woods 1315 Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods): The number of students from each local authority area in receipt of grants for the academic years 1998-99 and 1999-2000 is set out [1315] in the following tabular statement. The corresponding figures for the academic year 2000-01 are subject to confirmation, through statistical return, by the individual local authorities. I will arrange to forward the figures for 2000-01 to the Deputy when the returns have been forwarded to my Department and collated. Number of grant holders, by local authority, for the Academic Years 1998-99 and 1999-2000 Higher Education Grants Scheme
Ms Shortall Ms Shortall 522. Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the pharmaceutical technician diploma in Trinity College is not recognised as a course under which students may qualify for free fees; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that two years of study must be completed to be awarded the diploma; if his attention has further been drawn to the hardship this is causing many of the students who are taking the course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23263/01] Dr. Woods Dr. Woods 1316 Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods): Under the terms of the free fees initiative the Exchequer meets the tuition fees of eligible students who are attending approved full-time undergraduate courses, which must generally be of at least two years' duration at approved [1316] colleges. The pharmaceutical technician diploma course is not an approved course for purpose of the initiative. Year one of the two year pharmaceutical technician diploma course is completed at a post-leaving certificate college. Eligible students entering PLC courses are not liable for tuition fees and may, subject to certain conditions, receive grant assistance under my Department's maintenance grants scheme for students attending post-leaving certificate courses. Year two of the course is completed at Trinity College, Dublin. In 1998 the terms of the higher education grants scheme were extended to include a one-year course, where this represents progression from an approved PLC course. This extension was included to take particular account of students who, having completed year one of the pharmaceutical technician course, advanced to pursue the second year of the course in Trinity College. Apart from the funding provided through the free fees initiative and the student support schemes, funding is also provided by my Department through the student assistance-access fund. The objective of the fund, which is allocated to approved third level colleges, is to assist students who, due to their financial circumstances, might be unable to continue their third level studies. Information is available from the access officer or other officer with responsibility for the fund in each college. Dáil Éireann 541 Written Answers. Higher Education Grants. Questions 20011009
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