Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
1597. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person who is required to carry out a paid internship for a certain period of time over the academic year as part of his or her college course could lose his or her back to education allowance; if this income will mean that the back to education allowance and rent supplement would be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55093/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a scheme that allows persons in receipt of long-term social welfare payments the opportunity to pursue a course of study and receive income support subject to satisfying a number of conditions.
BTEA participants who receive payment for an integral/mandatory/compulsory work placement will have their earnings assessed as means in accordance with their primary scheme rules for payment. However, the condition of entitlement that a person must be unemployed for 4 days in any consecutive 7 days in order to receive Jobseeker’s Allowance does not apply for the period of BTEA entitlement. As a result, the participant will maintain an entitlement to BTEA subject to a means assessment.
This ensures that participants who continue to satisfy the eligibility criteria of their primary scheme will continue to receive income support under the BTEA and that resources are directed at those most in need of assistance.
Overall, the priority for my 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
