Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 4

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Austin Deasy

Question:

27 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will ensure that students intending to take up third level education whose families are dependent on social welfare payments are not prevented from doing so because they do not meet with the criteria for the existing schemes of grant aid; and if he will have examinations made into the matter in conjunction with the Department of Education and Science with reference to the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford. [20344/97]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

I understand that the person concerned who is aged 18 has applied for a grant under the higher education grant scheme, but has not been successful. Issues relating to such grants are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science. The Deputy may wish to pursue this with the Minister concerned.

The supports which my Department provides in this area are directed mainly at people who have been unemployed or are lone parents and wish to pursue courses of education. These supports include the third level allowance and the second level allowance. To qualify for participation in these schemes, the person must be aged 21 or over, be in receipt of unemployment benefit or assistance or a one-parent family payment for at least six months.

From the information supplied, it would appear that the person concerned does not satisfy any of the conditions of entitlement. In relation to the position of prospective students whose families are dependent on social welfare payments, increases are payable to recipients of social welfare payments in respect of all qualified children up to the age of 18 years. Where the parent is in receipt of a long-term social welfare payment, the increase is payable where the qualified child is in full-time education up to the age of 22 years, or up to the end of the academic year after the 22nd birthday. A child increase is being paid in respect of the person concerned. In addition, child benefit is payable up to age 19 where the child is in full-time education.

Further enhancements of the system of income support for children are a matter for consideration in a budgetary context.