Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I support Deputy Shortall's request for a review of this scheme. I had the case of a young girl on jobseeker's allowance who fell four weeks short of the time criteria for qualifying for the back to education scheme. She was accepted, however, into the first year of a nursing course but was denied the back to education allowance. She appealed the decision and continued to participate in the course. Now, the Department has even withdrawn her jobseeker's allowance. There is neither rhyme, reason or consistency in the Department's actions. Will the Minister review the scheme urgently?

See this speech in context