Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

185. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the social welfare assistance available in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31008/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The person concerned was in receipt of one parent family payment from May 2007 up to July 2015 when she changed onto a jobseekers transition payment (JST). She is currently in receipt of €217.80 per week being the maximum rate of JST payment for one adult and one dependent child.

The person concerned contacted her local office to advise the Department that she was awarded a stipend of €16,000 to facilitate her returning to college in October to complete a PhD.

In the case of the person concerned a stipend income of €16,000 per annum would be assessable on a euro for euro basis resulting in a means assessment of €307.69 per week. This amount would be in excess of her current weekly payment of €217.80 and therefore the person concerned would no longer have an entitlement to a JST payment.

If the person concerned accepts the stipend and pursues her PhD, she would no longer satisfy the eligibility criteria for a rent supplement as she would be considered to be a full-time student and not participating on a government approved education scheme.

The person concerned is in regular contact with a dedicated officer in her local office who is assisting her with her enquiries and clarifying any issues as they arise.