Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
452. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the situation in relation to a person who has been granted an Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme in circumstances (details supplied); and the supports available for single parents in such circumstances. [16520/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme is an established national initiative, funded by the Department of Education and Skills and managed by the Irish Research Council.
The scholarship includes:
- a stipend of €16,000 per annum
- a contribution to fees, including non-EU fees, up to a maximum of €5,750 per annum
- eligible direct research expenses of €2,250 per annum
There is no provision in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended) to exclude income from this Scholarship in the assessment of means for Jobseeker's Transitional Payment. In this particular case the weekly assessed means from the stipend exceeds the weekly jobseeker's Transitional Payment due to this claimant, which causes the eligibility for the payment to cease.
The supports available in terms of secondary benefits for single parents in such circumstances would depend on the individual conditions pertaining to each case.
