Seán Conlan (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the legislation governing the Student Universal Support Ireland grant discriminates against students whose parent for the purposes of assessment of income is in receipt of an allowance as a dependent of a cohabiting partner (details supplied). [17442/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To qualify for the special rate of grant an applicant must meet the following conditions:

1. Reckonable income must not exceed €22,703.

2. On the 31st December of the relevant period the reckonable income must include an eligible long-term payment prescribed under the scheme.

In the case of a dependent candidate, the reckonable income taken into account is that of the candidate and of the candidate's parents or legal guardian: Section 2 of the Student Support Act 2011 provides that "parent" includes an appointed guardian or an adoptive parent.

The Student Support Act 2011 and the Social Welfare Act 1952 are the legislative basis for the provision of differing services and supports. The Student Support Act 2011 is for the provision of supports for further and higher education and, therefore, its conditions are specific to that purpose.