Brian O'Shea
Ceist:1233 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science his proposals to exclude social welfare payments when assessing entitlement to third level grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1779/02]
Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
Under the terms of the third level maintenance grant schemes, the reckonable income of a candidate, other than and independent mature candidate, for the purposes of the means test is his-her gross income from all sources and the gross income of his her parents or guardians, where applicable. In the case of an independent mature student, reckonable income is his or her gross income from all sources and, where applicable, the gross income of his or her spouse.
The following social welfare and health board payments are excluded in the calculation of reckonable income for the purposes of the schemes: child benefit, family income supplement, disability allowance – where paid to the candidate, blind pension – where paid to the candidate, means tested one parent family payment, orphan's pensions, back to education allowance, foster care allowance, domiciliary care allowance and carer's allowance.
Question No. 1234 answered with Question No. 1228.