Student Grant Scheme Delays

Wednesday, 5 December 2012

Questions (18)

Arthur Spring

Question:

18. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on difficulties facing students who are unable to provide social welfare offices with proof of being enrolled in full-time education when applying for social welfare payments as they are unable to pay registration fees while waiting for Student Universal Support Ireland to approve their grant applications and are designated as temporarily registered in college, a status which is not accepted as full time enrolment by the Department of Social Protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54647/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

It is understood that the Deputy is referring to students who are on the back to education allowance (BTEA). Officials in my Department have confirmed with officials in the Department of Social Protection dealing with BTEA claims that students who have not yet received a decision from Student Universal Support Ireland on their student grant are not being disadvantaged in relation to their approval of their back to education allowance.