David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will issue on a back to school clothing and footwear allowance application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26772/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned was refused BSCFA in August 2011 as the family income is in excess of the allowable limit for their family circumstances. The family have been notified of the decision in writing. The family can request a review by contacting the BSCFA review section in Letterkenny. Details on how to request a review is provided with the refusal letter issued to the applicant. The information is also available on the Department's website.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have designated Mountcharles, Pettigo, Ballintra and Laghey in County Donegal post offices for the collection of their benefits, pension, child benefit, unemployment and so on. [26779/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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An Post is the principal agency through which payments are delivered to social welfare customers. The Department currently issues 1,051 payments on a weekly basis and a further 293 monthly payments through Mountcharles, Pettigo, Ballintra & Laghey post offices. A breakdown of the number of payments per post office is listed below. Precise information on the number of customers who have designated these post offices is not readily available as customers may be entitled to collect more than one payment.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when the full rate of jobseeker's allowance and back to education allowance will be restored in the case a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26804/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 17th May 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 15th June 2011 and the appeal will be assigned an Appeals Officer who, in due course, will decide whether the case can be decided on a summary basis or whether to list it for oral hearing.

I have been advised by the Social Welfare Local Office in Ballyfermot that the person concerned has not submitted an application for a Back to Education Allowance. If he wishes to do so, he should call to his local office as soon as possible and complete an application form. He should also supply relevant details of his chosen course of study.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.