Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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15. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on the back to education allowance guidelines that refuse applications on the basis that the only master's degree that is allowed for the purposes of the allowance is a master's in education; and her views on the situation in which some unsuccessful applications are being advised to give up their education in order to avail of State income supports. [5420/22]

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. She has timed this well. Why is the only master's degree allowed for the purposes of the social welfare allowance the master's degree in education? I ask this question because I have been contacted by a mother of two, a lone parent, who, after a period of ill-health, is trying to do right by herself and her boys. However, she has been told to give up her education if she wants to receive any support to keep her family going. This constituent contacted me on this matter to enable the Minister to appreciate the context.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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The woman in question has been left virtually without income because she is trying to improve her job prospects in order that she can look after her two children. As she is excluded from the back to education allowance, she was subsequently told that jobseeker’s allowance will also be pulled, leaving her without any supports for rent, fuel and so on. It is crazy that she is being been told to give up her education if she wants to have any supports.

The Minister indicated she wants to have skilled workers in the labour force, yet the only support available for studying for a master’s qualification is for a master's in education. The lady in question wants to transition out of teaching and go into research. The question I ask the Minister to focus on is why these limitations apply and what supports are available to a full-time student with a child in this situation.

While I am relating this issue to the case of one individual, others are coming across it too. It is a matter that needs general attention. It is of particular importance to the constituent about whom I am speaking. If she pursues any master’s programme other than a master's in education, she is simply seen as someone who is unwilling to make herself available for work.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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This scheme was originally intended for people who had not completed their secondary education and wanted to get back to work. The Deputy will appreciate that if we were to say that people could get a payment throughout their education cycle, the costs of funding people the whole way through their education would be significant. We consider that people with primary degrees are well-placed to get jobs. There are exceptions such as the higher diploma in education and master’s in education because people cannot become a teacher without these qualifications.

If someone wants to do a master’s degree, he or she should look at the SUSI grant, the support that is intended to help in such circumstances. Many people can work part-time while completing a master’s degree.

That is the position. As with all these supports, we must target this grant where we feel it is most needed. I have spoken to my officials about this matter and, to be straight with the Deputy, we do not intend to change the position.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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I appreciate what the Minister is telling us but there are anomalies in everything. It seems the unique position of single parents is being ignored here. A mother who has dependants and wants to further her education for the benefit of her children is being prevented from doing so by criteria that were not designed for people in her situation. For a representative of the Department of Social Protection to advise people in her position to give up their education if they want to maintain their supports is outrageous and it needs to be addressed.

This constituent is packing her master’s course into one year. It is due to end in August but the two arms of the State which matter here, social protection and higher education, are preventing her from doing this. There is no back to education allowance or jobseeker's payment available to her and under the SUSI payment, she receives the adjacent rate for the sake of 500 m. She is well aware that she will never own her own home and will have to rent for life but the demands of the system will make this as difficult as possible on her. We hear constantly of the need for a skilled workforce, yet lone parents are being treated in this disgraceful way.

My constituent has appealed the decision to withdraw the jobseeker’s allowance but was told by the Minister’s office that she had not raised any contentions in her appeal to warrant a change in direction. For her and her family, and other families out there, and especially given that she is looking after her child on her own, I urge the Minister to address this issue and examine the anomalies.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I cannot go into the details of the individual case the Deputy has raised but if he wishes to forward me a note on it, I will be happy to examine the matter.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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I will forward the details to the Minister.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department's allocation of €96.5 million for 2021 has been increased to €105.4 million for 2022. This is a considerable investment in supporting participants to acquire the necessary education and skills to re-enter the labour market. Giving those who already have a degree further supports to obtain a master’s qualification, other than in the exceptional circumstances I mentioned, would create a situation where we end up funding everybody who wants to do a master’s degree. We consider that where people have a third level degree, that should allow them access to the labour market.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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We are not asking the Minister to look at every case.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I know that.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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We must move to the next question.