438 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [29345/10]

The person concerned applied for jobseeker's allowance on 19 February 2010. The investigation of the person's means has been completed and the file is with a deciding officer for immediate decision.

439 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and awarded jobseeker’s allowance. [29376/10]

The person concerned was awarded jobseeker's allowance from 8 June 2010 at the maximum weekly rate of €196. A payment of €620.70 covering the period from 8 June 2010 to 29 June 2010 was issued to him on 2 July 2010.

440 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review the situation whereby persons in receipt of the carer’s allowance who are providing care to a child are eligible for the free travel pass, however, the child is not; if he has evaluated the cost of extending this entitlement to such children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29384/10]

Carer's allowance is a social assistance payment which provides income support to people who are providing certain older people or people with a disability with full time care and attention and whose incomes fall below a certain limit. Persons who are in receipt of carer's allowance also receive the annual respite care grant, the household benefits package and the free travel pass. In the majority of cases, persons who are being cared for will be in receipt of a payment in their own right (for example a State pension or disability allowance) and will be entitled to have a free travel pass. This includes anyone aged over 16 who qualifies for disability allowance.

For a child requiring full-time care who is under age 16, a domiciliary care allowance of €309.50 per month may be paid to the parent or guardian. This payment is not means tested and is to provide for the additional costs involved in providing care and supervision that is substantially more than that normally needed by a child of the same age. This may include additional travel costs.

A child who is attending school may be eligible for assistance under the Department of Education and Skills school transport scheme.

I have no plans at present to review the qualifying criteria for the free travel scheme or to provide free travel passes for children other than those who are in receipt of a qualifying payment from the Department.

441 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the rate of payment a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive if they were to claim jobseeker’s allowance in their own right; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29403/10]

It is open to the person concerned to make an application for jobseeker's allowance at his Social Welfare Local Office. Until such time as an application is received and processed, no determination can be made with regard to her entitlement.