andMr. Keaveney asked the Minister for Education when he proposes to increase the post-primary maintenance grant for remote area and island students; and when he proposes to increase the income limit governing eligibility for the grant.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Student Grants.
13.
These grants and the related income limits were increased for the school year 1975-76. The maximum grant available is now £315 per annum and the income limit is £1,500 per annum plus £50 in respect of each dependent child after the fourth. This is the maximum consideration possible in these cases in present circumstances.
It is not the Minister's fault but it is impossible to hear anything up here. Could I ask him to repeat that answer?
The maximum grant available is now £315 per annum and the income limit is £1,500 per annum plus £50 in respect of each dependent child after the fourth. This is the maximum consideration possible in these cases in present circumstances. These grants and the related income limits were increased for the school year 1975-76.
When was the de-decision made to change the income limits?
This time last year a decision was taken to make the change. This applies to the school year 1975-76.
When was the decision taken to give the £315?
This time last year.
And the new income limit is?
It is £1,500 plus £50 in respect of each dependent child after the fourth.
Is the Minister satisfied with the present situation on the islands where employment is unobtainable and where families may be quite large? Will recipients of unemployment assistance with eight children or more be debarred from receiving any grant in respect of any of their children even under the extended, or enlarged, or improved income limits? Will a recipient of unemployment assistance plus children's allowances be debarred under the income limits as outlined by the Minister?
Is the Deputy saying they will be debarred in those circumstances?
In all sanity how can it possibly be regarded as a fair and equitable approach that a person with eight or more children who is dependent solely on social welfare payments should find he is entitled to no grant whatsoever for his children because he has so many children? Surely these are the people who need the money most.
I do not know whether what the Deputy is saying is correct. If he gives me a specific case I will have it investigated. I would think the person in the circumstances described by the Deputy would be entitled to the grant but I am not sure.
Question No. 14.
I would ask the Minister to look into this matter because I have not got the calculations pat either.
Has the Deputy a specific instance?
Will the Minister take into consideration the circumstances I have mentioned to ensure that no family, regardless of how many children may be in it, is debarred because of an income derived solely from social welfare payments? It is a contradiction.
There is an allowance of £50 in respect of each dependent child after the fourth so, the more children there are, the more the income level would go up at which they were entitled to a grant.
Question No. 14.
Further arising——
I have called the next question.