Michael Ring
Question:168 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if the back to education or third level allowance will be extended to students under 21 and in receipt of a one parent family allowance. [4506/00]
Written Answers. - Adult Education.
The back to education allowance is a second chance educational opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities to improve their skills and qualifications with a view to returning to the workforce.
To qualify for participation an applicant must, inter alia, be at least 21 years of age prior to commencing an approved course of study except for recipients of disability allowance and blind person's pension where an age limit of 18 years applies. Bearing in mind the nature of the scheme it would not be appropriate for it to be available generally at a lower age level.
Further improvements to the scheme are planned. From September 2000 the back to education allowance will be extended to recipients of invalidity pension, unemployability supplement and persons previously in receipt of carer's allowance.