Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Oct 2001

Vol. 543 No. 1

Written Answers. - Student Support Schemes.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

218 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science if a student whose parents are in receipt of a non-contributory old age pension is entitled to a top up grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25708/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The special rates of maintenance grant, usually referred to as the "top-up" grant, are payable only where a student is already in receipt of a maintenance grant under one of the following means-tested maintenance grant schemes; the higher education grants scheme; the vocational education committees' – VEC – scholarship scheme; third level maintenance grants scheme for trainees; maintenance grants scheme for students attending post leaving certificate courses.

In addition, in the case of candidates assessed on parents or guardians income, it is a condition that the parents-guardians must be in receipt of an eligible payment from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, or from one of the designated programmes, as at 1 April prior to the academic year in relation to which the application is being made, for the purpose of determining eligibility for the special rates.

The old age non-contributory pension, where child dependent allowance is being paid in respect of the applicant, is an eligible payment under the scheme. The applicant for the special rate of grant should, therefore, apply to the body, either local authority or VEC, which has awarded him or her the ordinary maintenance grant, with a view to having his or her eligibility under the terms of the scheme assessed.

I am arranging for my Department to forward full details of the eligibility criteria for the special rates of maintenance grant to the Deputy for her information.