Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will make exceptions for students who have been in receipt of back-to-education allowances and third level grants as undergraduates to continue to be paid back-to-education allowance for postgraduate qualifications based on their primary degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27373/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The objective of the back to education allowance scheme is to equip people on social welfare payments with qualifications that will enable them to obtain employment in the labour market. The scheme covers courses of education from second level to Higher Diploma level in any discipline [level 8 in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)] and to a Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary and Secondary Teaching; level 9 in NFQ) which add significantly to a person's employability. Other postgraduate qualifications such as a Master's (level 9) or Doctoral degrees (level 10) are not included.

A small number of cases have arisen where a college has granted an exemption from the requirement to hold a primary degree and has admitted a person to a Master's course on the basis of relevant life experience. In the context of the ongoing review of the operation of the scheme, it was decided to extend entitlement to back to education allowance in these instances on an exceptional basis.

The potential for further changes in certain areas was identified by my predecessor to the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs. These concerned duration, access to post-graduate courses, appropriateness of courses and progression. The final shape and scope of such changes are currently under consideration. The nature and structure of the scheme will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changes in the economic climate. My colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, is responsible for administration of the student maintenance grant schemes.

Joe Behan (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to the fact that recent amendments to rent supplement levels have created an inequitable situation between single persons, couples with no children and single parents with one child; the reasoning behind these rent supplement levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27378/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Social Protection funds approximately 50% of the private rented accommodation in the country and with that level of influence on rents, it is essential that the maximum rent limits for rent supplement reflect real prices so that landlords are charging a fair rent and the State pays a fair price. Setting or retaining maximum rent limits at a higher level than are justified can have a distorting effect on the rental market and worsen the affordability of rental accommodation unnecessarily with particular negative impact for those tenants on lower incomes.

The new limits will ensure that different categories of eligible households can continue to secure and retain suitable rented accommodation, having regard to the different rental market conditions that exist in various parts of the country. The couple rates are established based on market rates for one bedroom apartments. The single rate includes other accommodation types more suitable to single person's requirements including bed-sits and studio apartments. Couple accommodation type units tend to be larger than single person accommodation units throughout the State; this reflects the variance between the two rates. The shared accommodation limits are based on the cost of renting a room appropriate to the individuals needs. The one parent family with one child rate allows for the family to secure a two bedroom apartment if required reflecting the variance between the single and couple rates. Where circumstances arise, limits can be exceeded if the relevant Community Welfare Officer considers it appropriate.