Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2016
345. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the master's degree courses covered under the back to education allowance scheme; and if the rules on this scheme changed in the past year. [21037/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the back to education allowance scheme (BTEA) is to assist those who are distant from the labour market to acquire the necessary education to improve their chances of becoming independent of the social welfare system. The BTEA, which is designed to support second chance education, enables eligible persons to pursue approved education courses and to continue to receive income support for the duration of a course of study, subject to meeting certain conditions.
Other than the Professional Masters in Education, which is a pre-requisite to taking up a teaching post, the BTEA does not provide income support to customers seeking to pursue a qualification at Masters Level.
The BTEA was never intended to be an alternative form of funding for people entering or re-entering the third level education system. The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant payable by the Department of Education and Skills represents the primary support for persons pursuing education. The eligibility rules that govern the payment of a student maintenance grant are a matter for that Department.
Overall, the priority for the Department is that the BTEA scheme will be focused, targeted and suitable for the needs of jobseekers and of the future skills needs of the economy. The operation of the BTEA has been comprehensively revised over the past two years and I have no plans to further alter the current criteria, as set out in the 2016 scheme guidelines.
