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Back to Education Allowance Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2013

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

Questions (397)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

397. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she intends to make any changes to the back to education allowance for September; if there will be any limitations imposed on those applying for the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23690/13]

View answer

Written answers

The back to education allowance (BTEA) is a second chance education opportunities scheme.

The numbers availing of BTEA and the associated cost of the scheme has risen dramatically in recent years. Numbers for the current 2012/13 academic year are 25,886 which represents a 191% increase on the 2007/08 numbers.

As the Deputy will appreciate, managing expenditure demands for 2013 and beyond poses difficult challenges and requires a critical analysis of all expenditure items. Budget 2013 provided for the cessation of the €300 cost of education allowance for new and existing BTEA participants from January 1st, 2013. The practice of uprating those on means reduced payments up to the maximum personal rate of €188 per week was discontinued for new entrants only from January 1st, 2013. A new maximum rate of €160 per week for persons under 25 year olds who commence BTEA after 1st January 2013 was introduced. Those engaged with BTEA before 1st January 2013 and who are progressing, or who are mid-course will not be affected by the Budget changes relating to 'uprating'.

The BTEA scheme remains an attractive scheme for social welfare recipients who wish to further their education. A significant majority of those entering BTEA are in receipt of the maximum personal rate of payment of €188 per week, which compares favourably with other State funded supports for those pursuing education.

The Department has recently published a review of employment support schemes, including BTEA, and held a stakeholders' forum where review recommendations were discussed. All review recommendations and feedback from the stakeholders’ forum are being considered as the Department now moves in to the implementation phase.

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