John Browne
Ceist:39 Mr. J. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Social Welfare the reason a person (details supplied) in County Carlow has been assessed with £27.09 weekly means for the months of the summer vacation.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The person concerned is a third level student who applied for unemployment assistance during his summer break. Means of £27.09 in this case, derived from a higher education grant were assessed in accordance with social welfare legislation.
Higher education grants consist of two elements, namely an amount to cover the cost of tuition fees and a maintenance grant to cover living expenses. The maintenance portion of the grant is treated in the same manner as any other form of cash income for means-test purposes. The amount of the maintenance grant is calculated by reference to a 52 week year.
The person concerned made an appeal to the independent social welfare appeals office. The appeals officer confirmed the assessment of means derived from the maintenance portion of the higher education grant in this case.
In addition to the means derived from the grant, he was also assessed with the value of the increase of widows pension payable to his mother in respect of him.