Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 October 2019
339. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo who was refused the third level back to education allowance in 2017 will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40237/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that the Deputy made representations to my Department concerning this case early last month.
The person concerned originally applied for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) in July 2017 in respect of a third level course which he was due to start in September 2017. However, I am advised that based upon his Leaving Certificate results and his educational record since then, a Case Officer of the Department did not recommend his application for approval. On this basis his application was disallowed and he was notified accordingly.
In July 2019, the person concerned re-applied for BTEA in respect of Year 3 of his third level course. In certain limited circumstances, a person may qualify for this allowance after completing their first or subsequent year of an approved course of study. My Department has advised that none of these circumstances appear to apply in this particular case, and for that reason, his BTEA application was disallowed. However, the Department will now contact the person concerned to discuss his case and check that this continues to be the case.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
