Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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155. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the funding available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17 who is pursuing a National Qualifications Authority of Ireland level 5 course and requires additional expenditure in addition to course fees to cover course materials. [21697/15]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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205. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the funding and assistance available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17, in receipt of jobseeker's allowance, who is undertaking a National Qualifications Authority of Ireland course and faces extra expenditure to cover the costs of the course. [21698/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 205 together.

The person has applied for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) which is currently under consideration. The Social Welfare Intreo Office will be in direct contact with the person concerned regarding their application. The person concerned currently receives activation support from Northside Local Employment Services and their Case Officer/Mediator will be able to discuss the options in relation to possible funding support for the course fees. However, there is no provision under the scheme for support for resource materials or apparel.

Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), as the single grant-awarding authority for student grants, processes all new applications for grants. If the person has not already done so, it is open to them to apply for a SUSI grant towards their fees and costs. The person concerned may find the website useful for further information and supports in relation to student grants and assistance.