Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of people refused the back to education allowance for each of the past five years with a breakdown of the reasons people were considered ineligible for the allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21747/08]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will provide a breakdown of the social welfare benefits which back to education allowance recipients are in receipt of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21748/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together.

Details of the qualifying social welfare schemes payments in respect of participants on the back to education allowance scheme (BTEA) for the 2006/2007 academic year are set out in the table below. Records are not maintained as to the number refused entry to the scheme.

The BTEA scheme is a second chance education opportunity designed to remove the barriers to participation in second and third level education. It encourages and facilitates people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force. The objective of the scheme is to enhance the employability skills of vulnerable groups who are distant from the labour market.

The scheme enables qualified people who have been getting a social welfare payment to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course. The allowance 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 academic year 2008/2009.

There are two education options available under the BTEA scheme; A Second Level Option (SLO) and a Third Level Option (TLO). Under the Second Level Option, a person may attend a second level course of study at any community, comprehensive, secondary or vocational school. Under the Third Level Option, a person may attend an approved third level course of study at any university or third level institution.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who had been in receipt of illness benefit has been told that they do not qualify for it when they applied for disability allowance. [21781/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under age 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to both medical suitability and a means test.

The medical criteria that must be satisfied to qualify for payment of Disability Allowance specify that the person must be suffering from an injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect which has continued or may reasonably be expected to continue for at least one year and as a result of that condition, the person is 'substantially restricted' in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person's age, experience and qualifications.

The person concerned applied for Disability Allowance on the 4 April 2008. The Medical Assessor determined that an examination was necessary in order to establish the person's medical suitability to disability allowance. The person concerned was examined on 20 May 2008 and the Medical Assessor expressed the opinion that he was not medically suitable for disability allowance.

The disability allowance claim for the person concerned was refused on 22 May 2008 on the grounds that he was deemed to be not medically suitable for Disability Allowance. A letter issued to him advising him of this decision and of his right of appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals office.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be granted the arrears of carer's allowance which is due to them. [21784/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for Carer's Allowance on 1 December 2006. Following investigation her application was refused on 12 March 2007 on the grounds that full time care and attention was not required in this case. The person was notified of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right to appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

The person concerned appealed this decision, and an oral hearing was held on 13 December 2007. Based on the available evidence the Appeals Officer decided, on 2 May 2008, that the person was entitled to Carer's Allowance for a period of one year from 1 December 2006.

The person concerned is awarded Carer's Allowance at the maximum weekly rate (180 Euro per week from 7 Dec. 2006 increased to 200 Euro per week from 4 Jan 2007) in respect of one care recipient for the period 7 December 2006 to 5 December 2007. Arrears of Carer's Allowance due for this period will issue within the next week. If further medical evidence is received for this person, her entitlement will be reviewed. Under Social Welfare legislation, decisions in relation to claims must be made by Deciding Officers and Appeals Officers. These Officers are statutorily appointed and I have no role in regard to making such decisions.