Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for rent supplement in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; if she will explain the request for repayment of rent supplement already paid to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17947/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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People in full-time education are normally excluded from receipt of rent supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. However, people participating in approved courses under the back-to-education allowance scheme receive a standard weekly rate of payment equivalent to the maximum rate of their previous social welfare payment and may retain any secondary benefits, such as rent supplements, which had been in payment prior to the commencement of their education course. It is also open to them to make application for rent supplement in respect of private rented accommodation if they have not been previously getting a supplement. The benefit to those participating in the back-to-education allowance scheme is that their status as a full-time student does not preclude them from receiving rent supplement.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned has been notified that an overpayment will be raised against him as he was in receipt of rent supplement while in full-time education. The HSE further advised that the person concerned was not in receipt of the back-to-education allowance while in full time-education. The HSE has further advised that they are in contact with the person concerned to make arrangements to repay the overpayment.