Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if funding remains available under the technical assistance and training fund for successful applicants under the back to work enterprise self-employed scheme [41260/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Technical Assistance and Training Scheme allows the Department of Social Protection to provide support to Back to Work Enterprise Allowance recipients who are engaging in self employment projects to enhance their chances of success to become independent of the social welfare system. This is a discretionary scheme and there is not an entitlement to the Technical Assistance and Training Scheme as of right.

Where appropriate, the fund can also be used to provide support to other social welfare customers who may require assistance in accessing the labour market or who are trying to establish an enterprise and need training or other supports.

Take up of the Technical Assistance and Training Scheme in 2010 has been very positive. The budget for the scheme at the start of this year was €3million. The Department has reviewed funding for the scheme for the remainder of 2010 and the allocation has been increased by over 35% to take account of increased demand.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of the State pension non-contributory; the cost to the State in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41388/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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There are 98,000 persons currently in receipt of State pension non-contributory from my Department. The cost of the scheme in 2009 was slightly in excess of €1 billion.