Gay Mitchell
Question:315 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will provide assistance and advice to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 who cannot afford to pay course fees. [29334/04]
View answerWednesday, 17 November 2004
Questions (275, 276)
Written answers
My Department administers a wide range of second chance educational opportunities to encourage and facilitate unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active workforce through various employment supports. One of these supports is the back to education allowance scheme.
To qualify for participation in the back to education allowance scheme — third level option — an applicant must, inter alia, be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for at least 15 months — 390 days — immediately prior to commencing an approved course of study. The person concerned does not meet this requirement and does not, therefore, satisfy the eligibility criteria for participation in the scheme.
The higher education grant scheme and the free fees initiative may be of interest in this case. These matters are dealt with by my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:316 Mr. Ó Fearghail asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will give consideration to the possibility of offering the option of an annual lump sum payment in lieu of a weekly payment to persons in receipt of the free fuel allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29351/04]
View answerThe aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders who are in receipt of long-term social welfare or health board payments towards their regular heating needs during the winter season from October to April. Under the scheme a fuel allowance of €9 per week is paid to eligible households during this 29 week period, with an additional €3.90 per week being paid in smokeless zones, bringing the total amount in those areas to €12.90 per week. In addition, many households also qualify for electricity or gas allowances throughout the year in the form of a direct credit on their bills.
The long established practice of paying fuel allowance on a weekly basis is convenient for social welfare customers and allows them to budget their regular income towards meeting heating and other recurring essential costs. A less frequent payment of the allowance could leave people unable to meet their needs in a particular week. There are no plans at present to provide an optional lump sum payment of this allowance.