Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I appeal to the Taoiseach and the Government not to proceed by the signalled route of further savage cuts in social protection in budget 2012. We all know what the consequences of that will be - increased poverty and a deepening of the current recession.

I want to address a specific area in which the Taoiseach can make a difference to people's lives. I am addressing the Taoiseach as a former educationalist. On many occasions, he and his colleagues have referred to the knowledge economy and the vital role of education on the road to recovery. A practical step can be taken with the back-to-education allowance scheme that will affect a considerable number of people who are currently on the unemployment register. Budget 2012 offers the Taoiseach a fresh opportunity to do just that. Over 25,000 students benefited from this scheme in the last academic year, 2010-11. It is expected that this year there will be an increased number availing of it, given the current reality in which we live.

Does the Taoiseach acknowledge that many people who are willing and able to go back to education and further their prospects in terms of future employment opportunities, are being prevented from doing so by what can only be described as over-restrictive elements of the scheme? I acknowledge that the period for access to third level education under the BTAA was reduced from 12 to nine months last year. However, the reality of the academic year, because it is a fixed term, is that many people who would legitimately like to take up that opportunity are prevented from doing so for at least that period of time and sometimes longer due to the fact that the two will not dovetail. I am asking the Taoiseach to re-examine the restriction. Currently it is only three months for second level education, but the nine months for third level education means a year lost or suspended in the lives of people who could otherwise use their time industriously for a better result. It would also reduce the numbers claiming job seeker's allowance or benefit over that period. Will the Taoiseach use this opportunity to revisit the scheme, as there have already been some mild indications of a willingness to do so in recent months?

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