Vol. 513 No. 4
191 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the reason a back to education allowance has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2768/00]
The back to education allowance – BTEA – scheme is one of the second chance education opportunities which my Department provides for unemployed people, lone parents and people with disabilities. The aim of the scheme is to raise educational and skill levels to enable people to meet the requirements of the labour market.
One of the conditions for receipt of the BTEA – third level option – requires the applicant to be attending a full-time course of study approved by the National Council for Educational Awards or recognised by the Department of Education and Science for grant purposes. The course being pursued by the person concerned does not satisfy this condition as it is a postgraduate course outside the State and does not satisfy this condition. The person concerned is therefore not eligible for the allowance. She was informed of the decision on 10 September 1999.
