Vol. 377 No. 6
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the fact that recipients of unemployment assistance are discriminated against in that no allowance is paid in respect of their children in full-time education beyond the age of 18 years, whereas the age limit is 21 years for recipients of other social assistance allowances; if he will take steps to eliminate this discrimination from the social welfare code; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
122.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any proposals to change the social welfare regulations which result in the parents of a student over 18 years in full time post primary education being ineligible to claim for the student as a dependant for their unemployment assistance while at the same time the student is ineligible for personal unemployment assistance because of full time studies.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 120 and 122 together.
At present, increases in social welfare payments are generally payable in respect of child dependants up to age 18 years.
However, special arrangements apply in the case of widows, deserted wives, prisoners' wives or unmarried mothers who are receiving a social welfare pension or allowance. In such cases increases are awarded in respect of children up to the age of 21 years if they are in full time education. This extension of the age limit was introduced in recognition of the special needs of widows and other one-parent families. There are no proposals at present to apply the extension to other social welfare payments. Assistance towards the cost of third level education is, however, provided through the grants scheme operated by the Department of Education.
It is a condition for entitlement to unemployment assistance that a person must be available for work. Full time attendance at a course of education is not consistent with being available for work and a person in this situation would not be entitled to umemployment assistance under existing legislation. There are no proposals at present to change the legislation in this area.
