Mr. Rónán Hession:

On that point, we would certainly be happy to prepare a note on that and provide the context. The rent supplement system is still operating. That should be clarified if it was not clear earlier. Based on my recollection of the context for the removal of the mortgage interest supplement, there were a range of reforms at the time. We will certainly prepare a note. Do not hold me to this but my recollection is that it was a decision that came out of the Keane report produced by the Department of Finance at the time which looked at a wide range of issues. I will certainly be happy to provide a note on that.

I will make one point on education and then ask my colleague, Teresa Leonard, to come in on some of the operational matters. Generally speaking, we have been trying to support people going back to education as best we can. In the July stimulus package, we waived the waiting period for people on PUP so they could get the back-to-education allowance. It is done via the jobseeker's scheme because, as things stand, and Senator Garvey asked about the future of PUP, it is supposed to conclude at the end of March. It will be open until then, but the current timeline for PUP is the end of March. Therefore, we cannot put people onto longer schemes or education courses where the payment will not be available after March. At the same time, as part of the July stimulus, we have said that a person on PUP will not have to wait for the normal period and can go straight into the courses. If a course is short term, the individual can stay on PUP. If it is for a longer term, the individual will need to switch to a jobseeker's payment. I might ask Ms Leonard to come in on the other issues.