Section 7 (educational establishments) of the Act of 2000 is amended by the addition of the following subsection:

"(5)

(a) In this subsection 'grants' means grants to assist persons to attend or continue to attend -

(i) an institution providing adult, continuing or further education,

(ii) a university, or

(iii) any other third-level or higher-level institution,

whether or not supported by public funds.

(b) The Minister for Education and Science does not discriminate where he or she -

(i) requires grants to be restricted to persons who are nationals of a member state of the European Union, or

(ii) requires such nationals and other persons to be treated differently in relation to the making of grants.".