Vol. 436 No. 4
102 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Social Welfare if a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who has returned to college to secure a higher diploma in education, as required by the school in which she has been teaching, will have her rent allowance restored to her, in view of the fact that she was initially given incorrect information regarding this allowance and who would be eligible for such an allowance if she was doing a bachelor of arts course.
Supplementary welfare allowance, including rent supplement, is not as a general rule, payable to people in full-time education. However, I have introduced a number of "second chance" education schemes on a pilot basis, both at second level and at third level, which give long term unemployed people and lone parents the opportunity to improve their academic qualifications and thereby enhance their prospects of returning to the work force. Participants in those schemes who are unemployed, receive a weekly allowance equivalent to their unemployment payments as well as social welfare secondary benefits, including rent supplements under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. I introduced the third level allowance in July 1990 and participation levels have increased every year. Over 500 are expected to participate in the current 1993-94 academic year. The allowance is not available, however, to people pursuing post-graduate studies. In the context of the ongoing review of the schemes I am having the situation of people who require a post-graduate qualification in order to take up employment examined.
