Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1452: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason that illness benefit is excluded from the list of eligible social assistance payments for the special rate of maintenance grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48068/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

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, on the operative date, 31st December 2007 for the 2008/09 academic year, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term Social Welfare payments prescribed under the scheme.

Illness 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.