As previously outlined to the Deputy, 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.
BTEA guidelines are, in the main, in line with the mechanisms in place for student support type schemes administered by the Department of Education and Skills. Progression in education is a condition which is not unique to BTEA, indeed 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, in that courses could be offered to students who are not progressing at the cost of students progressing from a lower education level.
BTEA is a non-statutory scheme with administrative operational guidelines. While BTEA policy and guidelines are developed centrally in the Department, the decision making function on individual claims is devolved to the local and branch office network of the Department. Determining officers are instructed to adhere to, and take account of the scheme guidelines in their entirety, when making all BTEA decisions and in cases where any conditions are not satisfied BTEA should not be awarded.
The Deputy is aware that the Department is currently reviewing a wide range of activation supports available to DSP customers, including BTEA, and it is the intention to canvass the views of stakeholders as part of the implementation process resulting from the review.
Officials are available to discuss specific cases and brief you on other supports that may be available to assist unemployed persons where BTEA conditions are not satisfied.
