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Back to Education Allowance

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 September 2020

Wednesday, 23 September 2020

Ceisteanna (141, 147)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

141. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of reversing cuts to the back to education allowance. [25699/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

147. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if time spent on a Covid-19 payment will be allowed as a qualifying period for VTOS courses and studies; if there has been discussion with the Department of Education on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25813/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 147 together.

Government has provided almost €57 million for the Back to Education Allowance in 2020. This represents a considerable investment in supporting participants to acquire the necessary education and skills to re-enter the labour market.

The weekly rate of payment is linked to the persons' underlying payment, for example jobseeker's allowance, and all budget increases in these rates are applied to Back to Education Allowance recipients. Any rate changes would have to be considered in a budgetary context and within the scope of the overall resources available for welfare improvements.

I wish to draw the Deputy's attention to that fact that the allowance has recently been extended as part of the July Stimulus in response to Covid-19. Ordinarily a person must be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a minimum period of time before pursuing training or education This condition is now being waived for recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment seeking to return to education. This provides that those impacted by the pandemic have training and education options available to them for the upcoming academic year.

If a person currently in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment wants to apply for Back to Education Allowance, they can now choose to apply for and transfer to a Jobseeker’s payment. Their rate of Back to Education Allowance payment will be linked to their qualifying social welfare rate of payment. Whereas the pandemic unemployment payment is short term in nature and scheduled to cease at the end of March 2021, the Back to Education Allowance provides long term income support which can be provided for the duration of an education course and which can extend for up to 3 or 4 years depending on the individuals circumstances.

There is also an annual Cost of Education Allowance of €500 available to participants of the Back to Education Allowance scheme who have one or more dependent children.

Any person in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment and seeking to return to education should contact their Intreo Centre to discuss the options available to them including access the Back to Education Allowance.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

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