Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 925: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the number of dependants is not taken into account in calculating entitlements for the special rate top up maintenance grant under the higher education grants scheme; and her views on whether this provision impacts adversely on large families, where the household income is relatively low. [15103/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Special Rate of Maintenance Grant is available to students in receipt of the ordinary maintenance grant under each of my Department's four maintenance grant schemes.

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

1. An applicant must qualify for the ordinary maintenance grant.

2. Total reckonable income in the relevant tax year must not exceed the lower income limits as set out in the relevant Maintenance Grant Schemes and, where applicable, net of Child Dependent Increase payments

3. As at the prescribed date — i.e. 31st December each year — the source of income must include one of the eligible long-term Social Welfare payments.

The prescribed income limit for the special rate of maintenance grant for the academic year 2006/2007 is €16,748. While the number of dependants is not taken into account for the Special Rates of Maintenance Grant social welfare allowances in respect of dependants, i.e. the Child Dependent Increase, are excluded in the calculation of reckonable income. In addition, the following Social Welfare and Health Service Executive Payments are excluded in the calculation of reckonable income:-

Child Benefit

Family Income Supplement

Disability Allowance (where paid to the candidate)

Blind Pension (where paid to the candidate)

Means Tested One Parent Family Payments

Orphan's Pensions

Back to Education Allowance

Foster Care Allowance

Domiciliary Care Allowance and

Carer's Allowance