I propose to take Questions Nos. 559 and 560 together.
The back to education allowance (BTEA) is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to remove the barriers to participation in second and third level education by enabling those in receipt of certain social welfare payments to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course that leads to a higher qualification than that already held. A person wishing to pursue the back to education allowance will have to satisfy a number of conditions such as being a certain age, in receipt of a prescribed social welfare payment for a specified time period, pursuing a full time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and progressing in the level of education held by the client with reference to the national framework of qualifications among others. The scheme covers a wide range of full-time courses of education in approved colleges spanning basic foundation courses to third level courses across all disciplines.
BTEA guidelines are, in the main, mirror those in place for similar student supports administered by the Department of Education and Skills and require student progression from one qualification level to a higher one. It is my intention to retain the requirements in respect of progression in education as a feature of the BTEA in line with the necessity that State support for education purposes is grounded on a student progressing from one qualification level to a higher one. This is necessary to ensure displacement does not occur and best use is made of the resources available.
It is important to note that the BTEA scheme is not intended to be an alternative form of funding for those wishing to enter or re-enter the education system. It is not possible, within the scope of the scheme, to authorise an application for payment where the basic qualifying conditions have not been satisfied and progression is not evident. Under the scheme guidelines deciding officers must adhere to the progression rule in making BTEA claim decisions.
The progression requirements outlined above do not apply in cases of a person wishing to pursue a part time education course which they may do while still obtaining their jobseekers payment. They must apply at their local social welfare office and verify that participation on the course does not reduce their availability for work. In the case of jobseekers benefit, participation on a course does not grant any extension to the normal period for which jobseekers benefit is paid.
My Department is currently reviewing a wide range of activation supports that are available, including BTEA, and it is my intention to canvass the views of stakeholders as part of the implementation process resulting from the review.
