Vol. 562 No. 3
219 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the decision to eliminate the back to education allowance for postgraduate students was made; when the decision was announced; the reason the decision was taken; the cost to the State of the back to education allowance for postgraduates; and if her attention has been drawn to the hardship this will cause many students. [5958/03]
Following a review of the basic purpose underlying my Department's back to education provisions and, in the light of the expenditure constraints facing us this year, it was decided in the context of preparing the 2003 Estimates, that the schemes should be refocused towards people most at risk and who most need additional training or qualifications in order to gain a foothold in the labour market. On the basis that claimants in possession of a third level qualification have already achieved a good level of academic attainment, which should impact positively on their employment prospects, it was considered that the focus of the scheme should be on persons in pursuit of courses to primary degree level.
This decision was known in November 2002, initially in reply to a parliamentary question. The impact of the change was discussed recently with representatives from the Union of Students in Ireland, as were publicity arrangements surrounding this change.
