Jonathan O'Brien
Question:76. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Social Protection the date on which she will make the back-to-education allowance scheme available to all postgraduate courses. [51118/13]
View answerThursday, 28 November 2013
Questions (76)
Written answers
The back to education allowance (BTEA) scheme is designed to support second chance education. It enables eligible persons to pursue approved education courses that leads to a higher qualification than that already held and to continue to receive income support equivalent to the value of their prior social protection payment for the duration of a course of study, subject to conditions. BTEA covers full-time second level courses and third level courses to higher diploma level (level 8 in the national framework of qualifications) including the professional diploma in education (primary and secondary teaching). The BTEA does not provide income support for students pursuing other postgraduate qualifications, masters or doctorates.
My Department conducted a review of employment supports schemes, including BTEA, in 2012 and published the report in January 2013. The recommendations of that review are being implemented to better support Government policy on activation as set out in Pathways to Work. Discussions on the future focus of BTEA and the range of courses that will be supported are on-going, including consideration on broadening the scope of support to selected postgraduate courses linked to skill shortages in the economy and the possible impact on existing supports provided by BTEA at second and third level. I have no immediate proposals to use scarce resources as suggested by the Deputy.