Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if mature students who work in low paid jobs, below €19,000, in the year preceding their return to education, will be awarded the special rate of maintenance grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26654/07]

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. 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.

The special rate of maintenance grant is available to students under each of my Department's four maintenance grant schemes. In order to qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant the following conditions must be satisfied:

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

2.The relevant income, in the prescribed tax year, must not exceed the lower income limit as set out in the appropriate maintenance grant scheme — net of Child Dependent Increase, where applicable.

3.As at the prescribed date — i.e. 31st December of the relevant tax year — the source of income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments.

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

Guardian's Pension (Previously known as Orphan's Pensions)

Back to Education Allowance

Foster Care Allowance

Domiciliary Care Allowance and

Carer's Allowance