Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 902: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding a matter (details supplied). [34077/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Since its introduction, the underlying objective of the back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme has been to equip people on social welfare payments with qualifications that will enable them to obtain employment in the labour market. It is a second chance educational opportunities scheme for people on certain social welfare payments who wish to participate in full time education and who would not otherwise be able to do so. Qualifying payments include the Department's jobseeker payments, disability allowance and lone parent allowance. There are two study options available under the back to education allowance scheme; second level option (SLO) and third level option (TLO). Under the second level option, a person may attend a second level course of education at any publicly funded Community, Comprehensive, Secondary, Vocational school or Institute of Technology. The course being pursued must be a full-time day course of study and lead to a qualification that is recognised by the Department of Education & Science and awarded by the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) or the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC). Under the third level option, a person may attend an approved full-time third level course of education at any university or third level college or institution. Third level courses up to and including those conferring a Higher Diploma in any discipline or a Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary & Secondary Teaching) are covered by the scheme.

In general, an applicant must be at least 21 years of age prior to commencing an approved course of study. However, lone parents and recipients of jobseekers' payments who are out of formal education for at least 2 years can qualify at 18 years of age. Changes to facilitate earlier access to the scheme came into effect from 1st May, 2009. In order to qualify for participation, an applicant must now be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for 3 months if pursuing a second level course or 12 months if pursuing a third level course. The qualifying period for access to third level courses is reduced to 9 months for those who are participating in the National Employment Action Plan process or engaging with the Department's facilitator programme. People who are awarded statutory redundancy may access the scheme immediately, provided an entitlement to a relevant social welfare payment is established prior to commencing an approved course of study.

The back to education allowance has an important role to play in enhancing the employability skills of jobseekers. The conditionality of the scheme will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changes in the economic climate.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 903: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the documentation not received by her Department during the processing of a jobseeker's allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that they sent in the requested information twice. [34174/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned applied for jobseeker's allowance on 20 October, 2008 while he was living in Cork. Documents in relation to proof of address were requested on 24 October 2008. He was again written to on 9 December 2008 regarding proof of address and the need for further documentation relating to casual employment. This included a form UP14b to be completed and returned by his employer. This form provides information on the hours worked for the purpose of determining entitlement to jobseekers payments. His claim was closed on 23 January 2009 because he failed to provide the documents requested.

The person concerned later provided some of the required documents. Documentation in respect of proof of address was received on 16 April 2009. Requested weekly dockets signed by his employer were received on 28 April 2009. However, a completed form UP14b was not provided. The person concerned has since relocated and applied for jobseeker's benefit in Claremorris employment office. He qualified for and was awarded jobseekers benefit and has been in receipt of this payment since 6 July 2009.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 904: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a one parent family allowance will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34182/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The person concerned reapplied for One Parent Family Allowance on 17 September 2009. Applications for One Parent Family Allowance are means tested and require an investigation by a Social Welfare Inspector. The investigation in this case has now been completed and a report has been forwarded to the Local Office in Newbridge today Monday 5 October 2009. A decision on this application will be made shortly and the person concerned will be advised immediately thereafter.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 905: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress in approving an illness benefit claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if the claim will be expedited and a response issued. [34218/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Payment of illness benefit to the person concerned was discontinued following an examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department who expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. An appeal was opened and in the context of that appeal, her case was reviewed by a second Medical Assessor who also expressed the opinion that she was capable of work. I am informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that, in the light of this second medical opinion, that office decided to afford her an opportunity of setting out the complete and up to date grounds of her appeal. On receipt of her response the relevant papers will be requested from the Department and the appeal will then be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 906: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to previous parliamentary questions, the progress in approving carer's allowance for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if the new medical evidence with help to expedite a decision. [34220/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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An application for carer's allowance, by the person concerned, was disallowed by a Deciding Officer of the Department on the grounds that she was not providing full-time care. The issue in the appeal relates to whether the person concerned provides full time care and attention as provided for in the Social Welfare Acts and the medical condition of the care recipient is not at issue.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that her appeal has been referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in the case. The person concerned will be notified when the necessary arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an office of the Department that is independently responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.