Vol. 577 No. 3
577 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her Department commissioned a company (details supplied) to conduct a survey on the back to education allowance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30729/03]
578 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her Department's objectives in commissioning a company (details supplied) to conduct a survey on the back to education allowance scheme; the date this survey began; and when its results are due to be published. [30730/03]
579 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if the survey on the back to education allowance scheme by a company (details supplied) is part of a larger study of the scheme by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30731/03]
580 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has satisfied herself that the methodology being employed by a company (details supplied) in its survey of the back to education allowance scheme will allow for an in-depth exploration of the individual student's college experience. [30732/03]
581 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if attempts were made to ensure that the sample of students being questioned by a company (details supplied) in its survey is representative of the entire body of students on the back to education allowance scheme. [30733/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 577 to 581, inclusive, together.
The back to education allowance is a second chance education opportunities programme designed to encourage and facilitate certain groups of social welfare recipients to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active workforce. The survey referred to by the Deputy is part of a larger study of the scheme. That study is one element of my Department's programme of reviews under the Government's expenditure review initiative. The objective of the programme of reviews is to provide a systematic analysis of what is being achieved by expenditure in each spending programme and to provide a basis on which more informed decisions can be made on priorities within and between expenditure programmes. A working group comprising representatives of the Departments of Finance, Education and Science, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Social and Family Affairs has been established to conduct the expenditure review.
