131 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will take responsibility for the processing of the back to education and mature students allowance schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41455/10]

The Department of Social Protection administers various schemes that allow individuals to return to full-time or part-time education while continuing to receive income support. The study programmes which they can undertake range from basic foundation courses through to third level postgraduate courses. There are no plans to transfer income support based schemes to my Department.

My Department has no mature student allowance schemes. However, my Department funds four grant schemes for students attending third level and Post Leaving Certificate courses. Students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to age, residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment are eligible to receive support. Mature students can apply to have their eligibility for a grant assessed under these schemes.