Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021
100. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if greater flexibility will be shown to persons on jobseeker’s allowance and other social welfare payments to help them return to education given the criteria for access to the back to education allowance for recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment regarding the qualifying social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26218/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra107. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of educational and upskilling courses available under the back to education payment; the measures that are being taken to expand on courses available under this payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26223/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 107 together.
The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) provides income support for jobseekers and others in receipt of certain social welfare payments who pursue courses of education at second or third level, for undergraduate courses. In limited cases, post-graduate courses can be supported via BTEA.
For example, BTEA can be approved where the jobseeker intends to undertake studies leading to a Higher Diploma (H.Dip) in any discipline, the Professional Masters in Education or a Masters degree based solely on life experience where the applicant holds no other third level qualification.
My Department has a provision of €96.5m for the BTEA for 2021.
A person wishing to pursue a course of study under the BTEA scheme has to satisfy a number of conditions, including being in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a specified time period, pursuing a full-time course of study leading to a recognised qualification in a recognised college and progressing in the level of education.
The course will be discussed with the Department's Case Officer following a review of the jobseeker’s skills, qualifications and experience with a focus on identifying potential employment opportunities.
The qualifying period for the second-level option is three months while the qualifying period for third-level courses is nine months prior to the date of commencement of the course. This qualifying period has been waived for people coming from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP). A PUP recipient is required to transfer to a Jobseeker's scheme in order to avail of this longer term support.
Any person planning to undertake an education course should engage with their local Intreo Centre to assess the options available to them.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputies.
