Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 3

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Schemes.

Jack Wall

Question:

422 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of recipients of the BTEA scheme in each of the past three years; the number in receipt of the scheme who applied for postgraduate courses; the way in which she envisages overcoming the problems due to the reduction in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17398/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The number of people participating in the back to education allowance scheme in each of the past three years is shown in the following tabular statement:

AcademicYear	Participants inpostgraduatecourses	Participants inother courses	TotalParticipants
2000/2001	524	5,081	5,605
2001/2002	544	4,770	5,314
2002/2003	639	5,834	6,473

The back to education allowance scheme was revised in respect of people who wish to pursue certain full-time postgraduate courses and consequently, these now no longer qualify for BTEA purposes. All of the people concerned are already in possession of a third level qualification and I am satisfied that they have already achieved a good level of academic attainment, which should impact positively on their employment prospects. Those wishing to take up a higher diploma, H.Dip, in all disciplines or graduate diploma in primary school teaching will not be affected by these changes.

I am satisfied that the new arrangements will ensure that the back to education scheme continues to provide support to those people who are most distant from the labour market and I have no plans to alter these arrangements.