Paul McGrath
Question:763 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the estimated saving to her Department by the changes recently announced to the back to education scheme as operated by her Department. [15973/03]
Written Answers. - Education Schemes.
The fundamental aim of my Department's back to education allowance scheme is to assist people who are unable to get work because of a lack of qualifications or education and who are caught as a result in a cycle of unemployment and disadvantage.
The scheme has given many people who left school early a second chance for education which will improve their prospects for getting employment.
In previous years the scheme provided for payment of the allowance to be made to participants for the duration of the course of study, including the summer holiday period. As the allowance was not means tested, participants were permitted to avail of employment during their period while retaining entitlement to the allowance.
The Independent Estimates Review in its report to the Minister for Finance commented that in many instances students find work during the summer period and it recommended that funding be discontinued for the summer period.
This measure is being implemented this summer. This decision applies only to BTEA participants who were in receipt of an unemployment payment prior to participation in the BTEA scheme. All other participants, lone parents and people with disabilities, on the scheme will retain payment during the summer period.
Where participants on the scheme who were previously in receipt of an unemployment payment are unable to find employment during the summer period, subject to satisfying the usual qualifying conditions, they may be entitled to unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance.
If all BTEA participants found work, then savings of some €12.5 million would accrue. It should also be noted that BTEA participants who are progressing to the next year of their course or progressing in qualifications will have their BTEA reinstated from the beginning of the new academic year, irrespective of whether they were employed or in receipt of an unemployment payment during the summer.
In framing proposals to change elements of the BTEA scheme, I was conscious of the need to ensure that payments were focused on those most at risk from long-term unemployment. I believe that I have ensured, in a situation where priorities had to be set and choices made, that people in the greatest need of assistance under the scheme have been protected.