Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
372. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons on jobseeker's benefit who transferred on to the back to education allowance in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19369/23]
View answerThe Back to Education Allowance provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments to pursue full-time courses of education at second or third level. The focus of the scheme is to help people improve their qualifications and therefore to improve their prospects of taking up employment. The Government has provided €49.1 million for the scheme in 2023.
Department records show that at end December 2019 there were 219 persons in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance who had transferred from the Jobseekers Benefit payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
