Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Nov 2001

Vol. 543 No. 4

Written Answers. - Employment Support Services.

Seamus Kirk

Question:

133 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will modify the regulations governing the back to education allowance to allow people who have been unemployed for less than six months to avail of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27306/01]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The back to education allowance is a second chance educational opportunities programme designed to encourage and facilitate certain groups who are receiving social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active workforce. To qualify for participation an applicant must, inter alia, be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for at least six months, 156 days, immediately prior to commencing an approved course of study.

The eligibility criteria for participation are considered reasonable and necessary in order to ensure that resources are targeted at those who are most in need. Since the scheme was first intro duced in 1990 the minimum period for eligibility purposes has been progressively reduced from 15 months – 390 days – to 12 months – 312 days – to the current requirement of six months – 156 days.

To ensure the continued relevance and effectiveness of the back to education scheme the Department plans to initiate an independent review of the scheme which will focus on all aspects of the programme, including eligibility criteria. It is not proposed to make any fundamental changes to this programme until this review has been completed.