Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the childcare supports available to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [15276/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned is currently in receipt of the one-parent family payment at a weekly rate of €237.80 (personal rate €188 plus one child dependent €29.80 and fuel allowance €20). The person is also in receipt of child benefit.

The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a weekly allowance paid at a standard rate and is not means-tested. In addition to the weekly BTEA payment, a person will get an annual Cost of Education Allowance of €300, paid at the start of each academic year. If the person qualifies for the Back to Education Allowance, they will retain their social welfare payment including the child dependent rate. They would also retain the child benefit.

There is no current application for the person concerned for the Back to Education Allowance. It is open to the person to apply for this allowance at their local social welfare office

The provision of childcare is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.