Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I appreciate Deputy O'Mahony's remarks. All the schemes operated by the Department are under review in the context of the comprehensive expenditure review. We are currently spending around €200 million on 25,000 people who are pursuing back to education schemes. There is a general educational principle that if people have reached third level and if there are others who have not completed second level, when it comes to the allocation of scarce resources, account must be taken of the latter. In the next few months, however, the labour services side of FÁS will be transferred into the Department of Social Protection. We will set up this new national service for social welfare entitlements and advice for those who wish to take up opportunities. In that context, I would be happy to look at this. I stress, however, that people who already have a third level education can look at the part-time option, particularly in VECs.

The Deputy appreciates that the back to education allowance is primarily for those who did not have the opportunity to complete second level or attend third level; it is for their progression. I understand the context in which the Deputy raises the issue and I will look at it when we are developing the national service.

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