Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2013
281. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons persons earning less than the income allowed for the special college grant rate are penalised and ineligible for that rate if they are not in receipt of a social welfare payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40979/13]
View answerThe Report of the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education made detailed recommendations concerning the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students. The target group of "those most in need" was defined in terms of the dependants of people receiving long-term welfare payments, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled.
The qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant in the 2013/14 academic year as specified under the 2013 student grant scheme is as follows: 1. Student must qualify for the standard rate of grant
2. Total reckonable income net of income disregards and Child Dependant Increase must not exceed €22,703
3. As at 31st December, 2012, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in the Student Grant Scheme.
It should be noted that Family Income Supplement (FIS) is a qualifying payment for the Special Rate. FIS is a weekly tax free social welfare payment for families, including one parent families, designed to provide extra financial support to employees who are on low pay and engaged in insurable employment. It is not proposed, at present, to change the current terms and conditions in respect of the special rates of maintenance grant.
