30 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the extension of the dependant allowance payable to students in third level education beyond the 21-year-old age limit in view of the considerable financial hardship that this limit poses on recipients of long-term health board payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4645/96]

Limerick East): Disabled person's maintenance allowance (DPMA) is the primary income support scheme operated by my Department for people who, because of their disability, cannot work and are not in a position to maintain themselves in the community. Under the current disabled person's maintenance allowance regulations a child dependant means a person under the age of 18 years, or in the case of a person receiving full-time instruction at any university, college, school or other educational establishment, under the age of 21 years who normally resides with, and is being wholly or mainly maintained by the disabled person's maintenance allowance recipient.