Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 May 2024
285. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to alter the statutory instrument to include Ballyfermot College of Further Education as an approved provider of third level programmes in Ireland for SUSI grant maintenance funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23326/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 outlines the position with regard to approved institutions for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme. Ballyfermot College of Further Education is approved Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) centre which is managed and funded by City of Dublin ETB. As such, it 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”. Further education centres are not designated as approved third level institutions for the purposes of providing higher education awards under the Student Grant Scheme.
