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Back to Education Allowance Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2018

Tuesday, 23 October 2018

Questions (606)

Seán Fleming

Question:

606. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application by a person (details supplied) will be re-examined with a view to approving the back to education allowance in view of the fact that the person was only 11 days short of the required number of days, which is an administrative rule in her Department rather than a statutory rule, and in further view of the fact that there is no formal appeals mechanism in this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43515/18]

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Written answers

A person wishing to pursue a course of study under the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) scheme 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 conditions under which the BTEA operate are designed to ensure that they address the objective of supporting longer term social welfare customers into employment. It is important that the eligibility rules for the scheme are applied in a fair and consistent manner. 

Officials in my Department will carry out a review of the case referred to by the Deputy and will advise the person concerned of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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