Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

This is a very positive scheme given that 8,090 people are currently availing of it. Some 3,359 people are participating in second level education while 4,731 are participating in third level education. It is very much targeted at those in receipt of social welfare payments. The scheme is specifically for such people and not for those on low incomes. People on low incomes who qualify for third levels grants would probably qualify for the top-up grant as well. This scheme was designed to get people out of social welfare, with which the Deputy will agree.

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