Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 5

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

120 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education if she will revise the regulation governing the higher education grant scheme to exclude deserted wife's benefit as reckonable income for the purposes of determining eligibility under the terms of the scheme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this regulation disqualifies a number of students from this scheme which is causing hardship to a number of single parent families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1857/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I understand that a new one parent family payment has been introduced with effect from the 2 January 1997 which replaces deserted wife's benefit and other payments for lone parents. The provisions governing the exclusion of certain social welfare payments will be reviewed as part of the general review of the higher education grants scheme in the context of the 1997 scheme.