Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will expedite a disability allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8471/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8474/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on whether those who complete third level education with the assistance of back to education allowance have better employment prospects thereafter; and if research is available confirming this. [8491/10]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of students who are in receipt of the back to education allowance who are in third level education. [8492/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together.

A range of studies, both Irish and international, have shown the importance of third-level education in enhancing an individual's prospects of obtaining sustainable employment. Participation in the third level strand of the Back to Education Allowance, which has a second and a third level strand, affords people the opportunity to obtain a qualification that they would not otherwise acquire. At the end of December 2009, there were 20,808 participants in total on the scheme and, of these, 10,351 were in the third level strand.

A comprehensive evaluation of the scheme, published in September 2005 as the "Report of the Working Group on the review of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) Scheme" stated, inter alia, that the objective in setting up the scheme was to help unemployed social welfare recipients, by way of education and training, to improve their prospects of acquiring sustainable employments and that, in line with government policy, this remained the primary objective of the scheme. The effectiveness of the scheme was also considered in the Report which concluded that the evidence, from the various surveys and analyses studied, indicated that two thirds of participants progressed to employment or further education and that the majority of participants in the scheme who obtained a third level qualification were engaging with the labour market.

As there is a continuing need for people who are welfare dependent to be given a route into education, and subsequent sustainable employment, I am satisfied that the Back to Education Allowance Scheme continues to meet its objectives. The qualifying conditions are designed to target available resources at those most in need of support.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding an application for rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8498/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Due to staff action currently being taken, I regret that I am unable to provide the information sought by the Deputy.