Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2011
214 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason in determining rent subsidy allowance that income received by the applicant determined by the receipt of maintenance grants for education purposes is taken into account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6815/11]
View answerPeople in full-time education are normally excluded from receipt of rent supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. However, people participating in approved courses under the back-to-education allowance scheme receive a standard weekly rate of payment equivalent to the maximum rate of their previous social welfare payment and may retain any secondary benefits, such as rent supplements, which had been in payment prior to the commencement of their education course. It is also open to them to make application for rent supplement in respect of private rented accommodation if they have not been previously getting a supplement. Any third level grant that is payable to a rent supplement recipient is disregarded in the means assessment for the scheme.
