Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine an anomaly in the higher education grants scheme whereby an applicant who is fostered will be assessed on that person's own income position, while an applicant who is in guardianship will be assessed on that person's guardian's income; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13545/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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In the case of a fostered applicant it is the State that is offering the protection and care in circumstances where the parents have not been able to, or are unlikely to, provide the care that the child needs. Such students may be assessed as dependent students, with reference to their own income, where they satisfy the conditions of Article 21(3) of the Student Grant Scheme, irreconcilable estrangement.

A student with a guardian appointed under the Guardianship of Children Acts 1964 to 1997 may also be assessed with reference to Article 21(3) where sufficient evidence of irreconcilable estrangement is demonstrated. The instances of estrangement are less likely for this category of student.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 815 of 24 March 2015, if she will acknowledge the anomaly that exists in the classification of illness benefit as a short-term payment which is not included as an eligible payment for the special rate of student grant despite being payable for up to 104 weeks, and the inclusion of carer's benefit as an eligible payment despite having a maximum payment duration of 104 weeks; and if consideration will be provided to review a decision on an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [13562/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Department of Social Protection describes Illness Benefit as a short-term payment for insured people who cannot work due to illness. Carer's Benefit is described as a payment for insured people who have recently left the workforce and are looking after certain people in need of full-time care and attention.

Eligibility for a social welfare payment is a matter for the Department of Social Protection.

It may be more appropriate, for the person referred to by the Deputy, to have their welfare payment reviewed by the Department of Social Protection. Where it is established that an alternative long-term payment should be awarded, such as Disability Allowance or Invalidity Pension, both of which are eligible payments for the special rate of grant, the application of the person in question may be reviewed under the change of circumstances provision of the Student Grant Scheme.