Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2021
463. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the working family payment is not considered a qualifying social welfare payment for the back to education allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54142/21]
View answerThe Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who pursue courses of education at second or third level. The conditions under which the BTEA operate are designed to support customers into employment. Government has provided €96.5 million for BTEA in 2021.
A person pursuing a course of study under the BTEA scheme commits to full-time college attendance for the complete academic year.
The Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment that supports employees with children on low income. Recipients of this scheme are already in employment.
The requirements for WFP and the BTEA are not compatible.
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.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
