Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2024
289. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will implement €500 maintenance grants for students on mandatory placements and ensure the payment of a living wage to all students engaged in placements, to alleviate the financial strain on students working full-time jobs alongside their studies, as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37925/24]
View answerThe Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has policy responsibility for the further and higher education sectors. It has responsibility for the student grant scheme administered by Student Universal Support Ireland, which is the primary support for people pursuing further and higher education.
The Department of Social Protection provides a range of training and educational supports to assist jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payment to develop their skills to regain employment. The Back to Education Allowance provides income support for qualified people who pursue courses of education at further and higher level. The Back to Education Allowance scheme is not intended to be an alternative form of funding for people entering or re-entering the higher education system and does not provide maintenance grants.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
