Seán Sherlock
Question:763. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of providing the €500 back-to-education grant to all BTEA applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36779/23]
View answerTuesday, 25 July 2023
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Written answers
The 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 further or higher level. The value of the BTEA weekly payment is equivalent to the weekly rate on the underlying qualifying payment.
The Cost of Education allowance of €500 per academic year is paid to Back to Education Allowance customers who have a qualified child payment on their claim.
There were approximately 3,850 BTEA recipients in the 2022/2023 academic year, of which 880 already received the Allowance. Using these numbers as a basis, it is estimated that the total additional cost to award the Cost of Education Allowance to all BTEA participants at a rate of €500 would be almost €1.5 million per anum.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.