Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason disability benefit is not reckonable as an entitlement for top up on third level grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38460/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The report of the Action Group on Access to Third Level Education made detailed recommendations concerning the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students, usually referred to as 'top-up' grants.

The target group of "those most in need" was defined in terms of the dependants of people receiving long-term welfare payments, where the necessary conditions are fulfilled. The special rates of grant are also available to mature students who meet the prescribed conditions.

In order to qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant a candidate must meet a number of conditions, including the following:

(i) s/he must already qualify for one of my Department's ordinary maintenance grants; and

(ii) total reckonable income must not exceed the specified limit for the academic year in question; and

(iii) on the operative date the income into the household must include one of the specified long-term social welfare payments.

Disability Benefit is considered to be a short-term payment and, therefore, it is not included as an eligible payment for the purposes of the special rates of maintenance grant.