Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 March 2015
223. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 164 of 24 March 2015, if students in those situations will be facilitated in completing their courses with the current level of income support they receive. [13088/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraProcedures have been agreed between my Department and the Department of Education and Skills (D/ES) to ensure that all one-parent family payment (OFP) recipients who are participating in training or education when their entitlement to the OFP payment ends will be able to complete their course with income support, subject to normal scheme conditions. This includes individuals who are engaging in Springboard courses.
For OFP recipients who are currently in education and, who were scheduled to exit OFP in July 2015, they can remain on OFP until their course finishes and then transition to either Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Allowance transitional arrangement as appropriate. For customers who are undertaking courses that are eligible for a SUSI maintenance grant from the D/ES, they can retain this grant until they complete their current education course, subject to the normal D/ES conditions for the grant.
OFP recipients are also eligible to avail of courses provided by SOLAS or the Education Training Boards. Where entitlement to the OFP payment ceases, and the person is undertaking such training, they can finish their course and their payment will be taken over by the D/ES. This arrangement has been in place since 2013.
In addition, customers who move to the Jobseeker’s Allowance transitional arrangement can participate in education courses including those that are eligible for a SUSI maintenance grant. In this situation the grant will be disregarded for the purpose of means.
This approach reinforces the policy goal to support lone parents into education and training and to assist them into sustainable employment.
