Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2015
134. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if lone parents who are in full-time education and who are in receipt of the maintenance grant and the jobseeker's allowance transition payment will be worse off financially when their youngest child turns 14 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40255/15]
View answerRecipients of the one-parent family payment (OFP) who were due to transition from that scheme on 2 July 2015, and who were participating in full time education were allowed to retain their OFP payment until completion of their course. If applicable, these individuals were able to also retain their Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant, subject to the normal conditions for the grant. The maintenance portion of the grant will continue to be disregarded for means on OFP.
Since the 2 July 2015, customers who transition from OFP have a youngest child aged 7 years and can move to the jobseeker’s transitional payment. The jobseeker’s transitional payment allows customers to study full-time and to simultaneously receive the SUSI grant if eligible. The maintenance portion of the grant is also disregarded when calculating means on the jobseeker’s transitional payment.
As the jobseeker’s transitional payment is paid until the youngest child reaches 14 years of age these customers effectively have up to seven years to complete their course of education, with the benefit of the SUSI grant if applicable and with payment from the Department, subject to the normal conditions for receipt of the jobseeker’s transitional payment.
Jobseeker’s transitional payment customers must sign a quarterly declaration that advises the Department of any changes in circumstances. If a customer indicates an intention to take up an educational opportunity, the Department will provide advice on the best option for them to complete their course of study. If the customer will complete the course before their youngest child reaches 14 they can remain on the jobseeker’s transitional payment and apply for the SUSI grant where appropriate. If the customer is not likely to complete the course before their youngest child reaches 14 they will be advised that as they cannot pursue the course and receive a jobseeker’s allowance payment, their best option is to instead apply for the Back to Education Allowance. This ensures that in both situations the customer can complete their course with financial support from the Department.
All recipients of the jobseeker’s transitional payment receive a one-to-one meeting with a case officer who can advise them on the educational options available to them.
