Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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123. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when rent supplement will be made available in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50068/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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124. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if back to education allowance will be made payable in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50069/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together.

A person wishing to pursue a course of study under the back to education allowance scheme will have to satisfy a number of conditions one of which is that a person who is aged between 18 and 20 must be out of formal education for at least 2 years. Periods spent on FÁS/Fáilte Ireland full-time Training Courses, FÁS Job Initiative, Youth Reach or Job Assist can count towards the relevant qualifying period and may be regarded as periods out of formal education.

The person concerned made an application for Back To Education Allowance on 14th October, 2013. The person's application was disallowed as he was not out of formal education for 2 years. He was notified of this decision on 1^st November, 2013.

There is no record of an application form for Rent Allowance in the Department. The person concerned should contact his local Community Welfare Service Officer to ascertain his entitlement.