Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
339 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his proposals to restore eligibility to the back to education allowance to postgraduate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31109/04]
View answerThe conditions for entitlement to back to education allowance were revised with effect from 1 January 2003. From that date, the scheme does not apply to certain full time postgraduate courses. Those wishing to take up a higher diploma in all disciplines or graduate diploma in primary school teaching were not affected by these changes.
The conditions of the scheme were revised because it was considered that it needed to be refocused towards people who most need additional training or qualifications in order to gain a foothold in the labour market. People with a primary degree are already in possession of a third level qualification and their academic qualifications should impact positively on their employment prospects.
In a situation where priorities had to be set and choices made, those in greatest need of assistance under the BTEA scheme have been protected. In the circumstances, I do not propose to extend BTEA to people pursuing other postgraduate courses at this time.
