Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the minimum duration in respect of being in receipt of a scheme (details supplied) that is required to be approved for the higher education grant; the special rate of maintenance grant in respect of the academic year 2008-09; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45978/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Students who qualify for a maintenance grant for their attendance on a recognised full-time approved course in a third-level institution may also qualify for the higher, Special Rate of Maintenance Grant if they satisfy the relevant terms and conditions.

The payment referred to by the Deputy is an eligible social welfare payments prescribed under the Scheme. To qualify for the Special Rate of maintenance grant, an applicant must qualify for the ordinary maintenance grant in respect of the 2008/09 academic year. In addition, total reckonable income must not exceed a specified amount which, is €20,147 in the 2007 tax year. Finally, as at 31st December 2007 the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term Social Welfare payments prescribed under the scheme.