Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2016
347. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection to explore the possibility of providing an exemption to the progression rule for back to education allowance in cases where the original qualification was received more than a decade ago. [20470/16]
View answerThe objective of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is to assist those who are distant from the labour market to acquire the necessary education to improve their chances of becoming independent of the social welfare system. Administration of BTEA by this Department is aligned with the student support schemes under the Department of Education and Skills.
A person wishing to pursue the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) has to satisfy a number of conditions. These include being a certain age, being in receipt of a prescribed social welfare payment for a specified time period, commencing 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.
In certain circumstances, BTEA can be approved where the applicant proposes to undertake a course of study leading to a qualification at either FETAC Levels 5 or 6 where the applicant already holds qualification at the same level or lesser level. This applies, for example, where the previous educational award is deemed to be in an economic sector that is no longer growing.
The focus of BTEA is on providing assistance to the highest possible number of those in greatest needs and furthest from the labour market. Progression in education is a condition which is not unique to BTEA - State support for education purposes is grounded on a student progressing from one qualification level to a higher one.
The operation of the BTEA has been revised over the past two years and I have no plans to further alter the current criteria, as set out in the 2016 scheme guidelines.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
