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Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021

Tuesday, 15 June 2021

Questions (868)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

868. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the expenditure on the back to education allowance for each year for which data is available; if this cost covers fees and-or the student contribution charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30989/21]

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Written answers

The Back to Education Allowance Scheme (BTEA) is designed to support second chance education. It enables eligible persons to pursue education and to continue to receive their weekly income support for the duration of a course of study. The main focus of the BTEA is to assist qualifying applicants to improve their educational qualifications and improve their prospects of gaining employment.

There has been are approximately 6,400 students supported through the BTEA for the 2020/2021 academic year. Government has provided €96.5 million for BTEA in 2021. This represents a considerable investment in supporting all unemployed individuals.

The BTEA is not intended to provide funding for student fees. The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant, payable by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, represents the primary support for people pursuing third level education and its administration is a matter for that Department.

The following outlines the expenditure on BTEA supports from 2015 to 2020:

Year

Expenditure

2015

€144m

2016

€114m

2017

€94m

2018

€79m

2019

€65m

2020

€66m

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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