Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
2122. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the anomaly by which lone parents in receipt of rent supplement and the one parent family payment or jobseeker's transition payment that want to take up education or training are not eligible for SUSI maintenance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29116/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to Education Allowance Scheme (BTEA), operated by my Department, is designed to support second-chance education. It 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.
The BTEA is not 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.
The Deputy should note that applicants approved for BTEA (or VTOS for those pursuing post-leaving certificate courses) are not eligible for the student support grants operated by SUSI. BTEA participants are, however, eligible for support to offset the cost of the student registration fee, including other fees payable to access courses, if the BTEA participant satisfies the eligibility criteria for both.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
