To ask the Minister for Communities why those studying full time in further and higher education are unable to apply for carers allowance.

The primary purpose of Carer’s Allowance is to provide a measure of financial support for people who give up the opportunity of full-time employment in order to provide regular and substantial care, of at least 35 hours per week, to a severely disabled person who is in receipt of certain disability benefits.

It is a general principle that people in full-time education should be supported by the educational maintenance system of loans and grants, rather than the social security system.