Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 16, after line 31, to insert the following:

"Back to Education Allowance

24. In relation to the scheme administered by the Minister and known as the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), the terms of the scheme shall be amended so that the qualification period for BTEA are deemed to be met, for all BTEA applicants commencing any year of a new course of education from September 2020, where the applicant closes their pandemic unemployment payment claim and establishes an entitlement to a Jobseekers (or other qualifying) payment.".

The measure that allows the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, to be a determining factor when entering the back to education allowance scheme is welcome but we feel strongly that this should be expanded to include all those who, unfortunately, had to claim the PUP and who are seeking financial support to continue studies. This mainly affects those who are on the healthcare front line. Nurses and care assistants were able before the pandemic to work in care homes but they have been forced to stop. They went on the PUP and now find themselves unable to get employment in care homes again and, as such, their financial supports have been swiped from under their feet. The same supports had enabled them to continue education.

Individuals have contacted the office of Deputy Sherlock about this. We can send those communications to the Minister. I will not read any into the record. This change would not impact many students but for those who it would, it could be a significant difference in continuing their education. In many cases this is training for nurses, more of which we desperately need, and this would restore people's faith in the system who now feel let down. Many of these people are mature students and have reared kids before going back to education with the support of this allowance. The pandemic meant that, unfortunately, they had to apply for the PUP and, through no fault of their own and in crazy circumstances, they now find themselves without supports. This is something that could be amended, and we ask the Minister to do that.

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