Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
2086. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has examined the possibility of allowing lone parents who are in receipt of rent supplement and the one parent family payment to also be eligible for the SUSI maintenance grant; the estimated full-year cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28552/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLone parents who wish to undertake a full time third level education course can continue to receive income support from my Department irrespective of the age of the youngest child or whether or not they are in receipt of rent supplement.
For those lone parents in receipt of the One-Parent Family payment, without rent supplement, they may have access to both the SUSI maintenance grant and the SUSI free fees grant.
For those lone parents who are in receipt of rent supplement and who wish to undertake a full time course they must transition to the Back to Education Allowance to continue receiving their income support from my Department. These lone parents may also be eligible for the SUSI free fees grant. However, they are not eligible for the SUSI maintenance grant in accordance with SUSI eligibility rules, which fall under the remit of the Department of Education and Skills.
However, any changes to the rules of eligibility to the SUSI maintenance grant and the cost implications of such changes are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills.
