Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 324: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding qualification for the back to education allowance; and the framework by and through which it is determined that a person qualifies. [20909/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The back to education allowance (BTEA) 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 work. It is paid at a standard weekly rate equivalent to the maximum rate of the relevant social welfare payment that qualifies the applicant for participation in the scheme. It essentially replaces their existing social welfare income and in addition an annual €400 cost of education allowance is payable. This will be increased to €500 from the beginning of the next academic year 2008/2009.

To qualify for participation an applicant must, inter alia, be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment and must be at least 21 years of age prior to commencing an approved course of study. People in receipt of disability allowance, blind pension and incapacity supplement may access the scheme at 18 years of age. Similarly, lone parents and people in receipt of unemployment payments can qualify at 18 years of age if they have been out of formal education for at least 2 years. An applicant must also be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for at least six months, in the case of a person wishing to complete a second level course, or twelve months in the case of a person wishing to pursue a third level qualification. The twelve-month requirement is reduced to nine in the case of people who wish to attend a third level course and who are participating in the National Employment Action Plan. Under the plan persons aged 18 and under 64 years who are approaching three months on the Live Register are identified by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and referred to FÁS for interview with a view to job placement or offer of training.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 325: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the rationale for the different criteria for the carers respite grant applying before and after the child reaches 16; if this issue is being examined as part of the review of payments to carers; if not, if she will ensure that this issue is reviewed as part of that process; the estimated cost to the State of extending automatic entitlement to the carers respite grant to children up to the age of 18; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21013/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly allowance administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Eligible children from birth to the age of 16 who are living at home and who have a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention which is substantially in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age may qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance. The current Domiciliary Care Allowance rate is €299.60 per month.

Entitlement to Domiciliary Care Allowance ceases on the child's 16th birthday. However, when the child is approaching the age of 16, the HSE advise the family to apply for the Disability Allowance, operated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. I understand that the Health Service Executive notify the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the child at least six months prior to the child's 16th birthday. Claimants must satisfy a means test and medical criteria. The personal Disability Allowance rate is €197.80 per week. While the automatic entitlement to respite care grant lapses with the Domiciliary Care Allowance, a respite care grant is available from the Department of Social and Family affairs, subject to the satisfaction of eligibility criteria.

There are no proposals to extend the age limit of the Domiciliary Care Allowance. My Department has asked the HSE, if it is possible, to estimate the cost of extending the age limit to 18 years of age net of those people who would switch to Disability Allowance and to reply directly to the Deputy.