Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I do not propose to accept the amendment. The back to education allowance is an important benefit and one that I have promoted since my appointment. One of the positive statistics to emerge from the latest Central Statistics Office data is the 24% increase in the numbers participating in the scheme. This indicates its effectiveness. The scheme was designed to support the long-term unemployed and to offer particular support to those without second level education, who are the most likely to remain on the live register in the long term. That is why the time requirement for such persons is only six months, while it is 12 months for those with a higher educational attainment. However, for those participating in the education action plan, the timeframe is nine months, and those in receipt of statutory redundancy may obtain it immediately. Unfortunately, increasing numbers are finding themselves in that situation.

From the time people sign on the live register, they will be interviewed every three months, and more and more will become involved in the employment action plan. However, I must ensure at all times that the scheme is not abused. For example, we do not want a situation where people who have done their leaving certificates sign on for three months and avail of the back to education allowance even though they intend to go to college in any case. It is a generous scheme, paid at the top rate of the relevant payment. In those circumstances, people would receive €200 per week in addition to a third level grant. It is a valuable scheme but it must be targeted at those who will benefit most from it. Lone parents are benefiting as well as those who are unemployed.

I will, however, keep the matter under review, particularly as the live register is growing, to ensure we are targeting those who require upskilling. There is good co-operation between my Department, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in regard to FÁS, and the Department of Education and Science in seeking to ensure that more people are interviewed, supported and offered training places with FÁS and that places which have not been taken up on post-leaving certificate courses and in the institutes of technology can be availed of. That co-operation is working well, in conjunction with the work of the facilitators in encouraging people to avail of that support. The 24% increase in participation is encouraging. I assure Senators, in light of my personal interest in the matter, that I will keep the scheme under review to ensure we are targeting the correct people for support.