Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

790. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the financial supports available, in terms of fees being paid and grants, for persons undertaking training in education and training board courses; and her plans to exclude income from the widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s pension in the means testing for grants or supports. [28816/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Where a student is pursuing further education and training in Education and Training Board courses, there are no fees to be paid.

For students pursuing an approved Post Leaving Certificate course there is a €200 annual Post Leaving Certificate programme participant contribution. The following categories of participants are exempt from paying the contribution:

- Full medical card holders in their own right and their dependent children

- Those who are eligible under the student grant scheme;

- Those in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) or Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) allowances.

Also students pursuing an approved Post Leaving Certificate course in the State who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means would be eligible for a maintenance grant.

Assessment of means under my Department's student grant scheme is based on gross income from all sources of the applicant and his/her parent(s)/legal guardian/civil partner/spouse or cohabitant.

The list of payments, known for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme 2015 as 'Income disregards' does not extend to widow's/widower's or surviving civil partnership pension.

The Deputy will appreciate that any decision in relation to changes to the Student Grant Scheme including changes in payments to be included as 'income disregards' will need to be considered in the context of availability of resources.