Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 April 2016
663. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills if persons who receive the housing assistance payment and who take up full-time educational courses can receive the Student Universal Support Ireland maintenance grant if they meet the qualifying criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6359/16]
View answerWith regard to the Deputy's specific query, I can confirm that persons in receipt of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) are not precluded from qualifying for the "Student Universal Support Ireland Maintenance Grant", provided they meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
HAP was introduced as an income disregard in the 2015 Scheme and is therefore not included when calculating reckonable income.
