Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The back to education allowance scheme provides people with a second chance education that will improve their prospects of securing employment. It enables eligible people to pursue approved education courses and continue to receive income support for the duration of a course of study, subject to meeting certain conditions. The provision for the scheme for 2022 is €105.4 million and it is supporting just over 5,500 students.

The conditions under which the scheme operates are designed to ensure that they address the objective of supporting longer term social welfare customers into employment. It is not intended to provide a basis for a long duration participation in extended education. Evidence from econometric studies shows that the "lock-in" effect of long duration return to education programmes can exceed the "progression effect", thus impairing employment prospects. This scheme should not be viewed as an alternative to the student grant system.

The circumstances in which the back to education scheme can be approved for postgraduate studies are limited and include a higher diploma in any discipline, a professional master's in education or a master's degree based solely on life experience, where the applicant holds no other third level qualification. I am satisfied with this position as people in possession of a third level qualification have already achieved a high level of academic attainment. The possession of a master's qualification is not regarded as a prerequisite to re-entering the workforce. The appropriate mechanism for supporting students pursuing a master's qualification is through the SUSI grant. I trust this clarifies the position.

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