Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 3

Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

324 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason all applicants for the higher education grant top up grant who are under the income limit are not eligible for the additional support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25032/03]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

325 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason an applicant's parents must be on 12 months continuous unemployment benefit to be eligible for the HEG top up grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25033/03]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

326 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason applicants' parents who are on disability benefit, even though they meet the means assessment, are ineligible for the HEG top up payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25034/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 324, 325 and 326 together.

The report of the action group on access to third level education makes detailed recommendations concerning the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students, usually referred to as "top-up grants". The target group of those most in need has been defined in terms of the dependants of people receiving long-term welfare payments, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled. The special rates of grant are also available to mature students who meet the prescribed conditions.

In order to qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant a candidate must meet a number of conditions, including the following: s/he must already qualify for one of my Department's ordinary maintenance grants; total reckonable income must not exceed the specified limit for the academic year in question; and on the operative date the income into the household must include one of the specified long-term social welfare payments. In order to satisfy the requirement of long-term welfare payment, the special rates of maintenance grant specifies that unemployment assistance and unemployment benefit must be payable for a specified period – 391 days and 12 months respectively – on the operative date. Disability benefit is considered to be a short-term payment and, therefore, it is not included as an eligible payment for the purposes of the special rates of maintenance grant.