Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

179 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Social Welfare the plans, if any, he has to revise the supplementary welfare benefit for students with children; his views on whether they incur extra expense in their efforts to complete their education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3044/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

Under sub-section 172 (1) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1993, people in full-time education are excluded from entitlement to assistance, including rent supplements, under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. However, subsection 172 (2) allows a person in full-time education an entitlement to supplementary welfare allowance in respect of their adult or child dependants. Sub-section 172 (3) of the 1993 (Consolidation) Act allows for the payment of a supplementary welfare allowance to a person in full-time education in exceptional circumstances.

In addition, persons participating on a second chance educational scheme may continue to receive their full weekly payment, and may retain any secondary benefits, such as rent supplements, which they may have been receiving prior to participation.

The second chance educational schemes include: the vocational training opportunities scheme (VTOS); the second level initiative scheme; the third level allowance scheme; and the part-time education initiative scheme.

The qualifying conditions for the second chance educational schemes are that the applicant must be at least 21 years of age, and must have been in receipt of an unemployment payment or lone parent allowance for at least six months.

The back-to-school clothing and footwear scheme is designed to assist with the cost of children's school uniforms and footwear. People in full-time education who have children and who are in receipt of a social welfare or health board payment may qualify for assistance. The scheme operates from 1 June to 30 September every year and people can make an application for assistance any time during this four month period. The amount payable in respect of a child attending primary school is £40, and £55 is payable in respect of a child attending post-primary school. These amounts will be increased to £43 and £58 respectively from the start of this year's scheme in June. The cost of extending entitlement to SWA rent supplements to parents in full-time education would have resource implications which I am unable to meet at present but I intend to keep this matter under review.