Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if unemployment assistance will be restored to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8. [28531/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Students pursuing a full-time course of study are disqualified from receiving unemployment assistance under section 126(1) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 1993. Payment of unemployment assistance, to the person concerned, was disallowed on the grounds that he was not available for and was not genuinely seeking work as he is a full time student.

The back to education allowance is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force.

To qualify for participation in the third level option of the scheme an unemployed person must, inter alia, be pursuing an approved course of study at a recognised third level institution. The course itself, must be a full-time day course of study which is approved by the Department of Education and Science for higher education grant purposes or have Higher Education Training and Awards Council, HETAC, recognition.

The third level course of study being pursued in this case does not satisfy this condition and, therefore, cannot be approved for back to education allowance purposes.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a diabetic allowance will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if a reply will be expedited. [28537/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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People in receipt of social welfare or health service executive payments, who have been prescribed a special diet as a result of a specified medical condition and whose means are insufficient to meet their needs, may qualify for a diet supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

The south eastern area Health Service Executive has advised that no diet supplement claim has been received from the person concerned. He should contact his local community welfare officer in order that his entitlement to payment can be examined.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when full rent will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28553/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Dublin/mid-Leinster area of the Health Service Executive, which administers the rent supplement scheme on my behalf, has advised that the person concerned received a reduced rate of supplement for September 2005 as she was not resident in her accommodation for the full month. She moved into the accommodation in question on 7 September and received rent supplement of €856.60 for the period from then until 30 September inclusive. The executive confirmed that she received her full rent supplement entitlements in August in respect of her former accommodation.

From October 2005, her entitlement to rent supplement will increase to its full monthly level of €1,132.80. The executive will issue payment of this amount to her at the end of the month.