Vol. 477 No. 6
13 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will facilitate women on deserted wifes' benefit and widow's pension in obtaining a place on educational opportunities schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9924/97]
There are a number of social welfare schemes available to people who wish to participate in full-time educational courses while continuing to receive their social welfare payments. The schemes administered by my Department are: the third level allowance, the second level allowance and the part-time education option.
Unemployed people and lone parents wishing to pursue a third level education course may participate in the third level allowance scheme. To qualify under the scheme a person must be aged 21 years or over and be unemployed for at least 6 months. As a result of improvements to the scheme which I introduced in October 1996, participants now receive an allowance equivalent to the full standard rate of unemployment benefit while attending their course. An annual book allowance of £100 has also been introduced and participants will be paid for a full 52 weeks while engaged in the third level course and they may work during the holiday periods. Participants may pursue a full-time third level course at any university, third level college or institution provided that both the college and the course involved are approved by the Department of Education for higher education grants purposes. There are also opportunities available to pursue courses at post-graduate level provided the person is aged at least 24 years and is the holder of a primary degree. There is no limit on the numbers who may avail of this option and recipients of deserted wife's benefit and widow's pension, with at least one dependent child, may participate.
The second level allowance is available to unemployed persons and lone parents attending full-time second level education courses at any community, comprehensive or vocational school. Their entitlement to social welfare payments is not affected while attending such courses and there is no limit on the numbers who wish to avail of the scheme. Recipients of deserted wife's benefit and widow's pension, with at least one dependent child, may participate. I am at present considering improvements to the second level allowance along the lines of those introduced to the third level allowance and I expect to be in a position to make an announcement in this regard shortly.
An unemployed person or lone parent including recipients of deserted wife's benefit and contributory widow's pension with dependent children who fails to qualify for a full-time education course may attend a part-time education course and retain their entitlement to unemployment payments. However, unemployed persons availing of this option must satisfy my Department that they continue to be actively seeking and available for full-time work.
