Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person, who is in receipt of the rent allowance from the local health board and subsequently begins studying full-time, is entitled to continue receiving the rent allowance. [12566/05]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a person, who is in receipt of the rent allowance from the local health board and subsequently begins studying full-time, is entitled to continue receiving the rent allowance. [12567/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together.

In general, people in full-time education are excluded from receiving assistance, including rent supplements, under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. However, there is provision for continued payment of rent supplement to eligible people who wish to resume full-time education. People participating in approved courses under the back to education allowance or VTOS schemes are not disqualified because they are in full-time education and may claim rent supplement subject to satisfying the other standard conditions of the scheme.