Vol. 404 No. 9
209 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education whether her attention has been drawn to the fact that the money available under European Social Fund supported third level courses is insufficient to support a student; and if, in view of this, she will provide some additional aid for the children of social welfare recipients, particularly in the case where the student by virtue of age, no longer qualifies for the child dependant allowance.
The rate of maintenance allowance paid under the ESF scheme is equivalent to the maximum rates payable under the higher education grants scheme. Increases in line with inflation have been applied to this allowance since 1985 despite severe budgetary constraints.
As the Deputy will be aware from this year's budget the upper age limit for the payment of the child dependant allowance will be increased from 20 years to 21 years for children of long term social welfare recipients in full-time education; in addition significant improvements are proposed in the actual amount of the child dependant allowances.
