Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2020
161. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if recipients of the Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment are eligible to take up a free Springboard course and keep their payment at the same time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27471/20]
View answerThe Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments that pursue courses of education at second or third level. Government has provided almost €57 million for the Back to Education Allowance in 2020. This represents a considerable investment in supporting participants to acquire the necessary education and skills to re-enter the labour market.
Under the July Stimulus the back to education allowance has been extended to people who have been in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. In advance of commencing a full-time SpringBoard course, a person in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will be required to establish an entitlement to a qualifying social welfare weekly payment, generally a Jobseeker’s payment. A person will be required to transfer from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to the relevant qualifying social welfare scheme to continue to receive income support while pursuing education.
The qualification period will be deemed to have been met for a person transferring from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. This means someone applying for a full-time SpringBoard course will be deemed to have satisfied the required 9 month qualification period when they transfer from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Any person seeking to return to education should engage with their local intreo office to assess their options.
