David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

Surely the Minister is not suggesting that people are taking up unemployment benefit or assistance just to qualify for the back to education allowance. That is ridiculous. The Minister and Deputies have participated in this debate from time to time. Can the Minister tell me if he intends to bring back the qualifying period to nine months before next September? I am sure he recalls telling me that he can do that at the stroke of a pen. How much will it cost to bring back the qualifying period to nine months? Will he do that and, if so, when?

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