Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 12 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 2

Written Answers. - Adult Education.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

114 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a lone parent undertaking third level study can qualify for an allowance towards cre che facilities either from his Department or from the community welfare officer. [3680/98]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

In general, a lone parent can avail of educational opportunities that arise and still retain title to the one-parent family payment.

If a lone parent is aged 21 or over and in receipt of the one-parent family payment for six months or more, she or he can participate in the back to education programme recently introduced by my Department.

The main features of this programme are: participants can take up approved second and third level education courses; a standard rate of paynment will apply to all participants which is set at the maximum rate of their current social welfare payment; the payment is payable for the full duration of the course, including all holiday periods; and an annual allowance of £100 to cover the cost of books. From September 1998, this is being increased to £150 and converted to a cost of education allowance to reflect additional costs, apart from books, involved in full-time study.

There is no provision under the social welfare code to provide additional financial assistance in respect of child care costs to lone parents who wish to undertake a course of full-time study.