Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Bernard Allen

Question:

356 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science further to his reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 574 and 575 of 9 October 2002, in which it was stated that a person (details supplied) in County Cork would only receive a top-up maintenance grant for their child, in the event of their receiving invalidity pension, if that grant will be paid in view of the fact that this person has been informed by the Department of Social and Family Affairs that they are receiving invalidity pension which will be backdated to the date of application of 13 September 2002. [15584/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

In my reply to Parliamentary Questions of 9 October 2002, I stated that the candidate, referred to by the Deputy, would be eligible to be reassessed for the special rate of grant, as a result of the change in circumstances, with effect from the date the invalidity pension was approved for the candidate's father.

A decision arising from a review of the candidate's application, based on the conditions and terms issued by my Department, is a matter for the relevant local authority. This body will not refer the review of the application to my Department except, in exceptional cases, where, for example, advice or instruction regarding a particular condition is desired. It appears that no such advice or instruction has, to date, been sought in the case of the student referred to by the Deputy.