Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As well as reviewing the back to education allowance, the real issue I am trying to highlight here is that of access to the back to education allowance. The Department is a main and prime channel whereby persons come to access it or even access the idea of seeking to access the back to education allowance. It is largely through agents of the Minister - caseworkers and so forth - that individuals will come on a journey that may bring them to a back to education allowance or to seeking it. I accept that the Minister has indicated the position. To clarify, can I indicate to the Minister, Deputy McHugh, specifically that the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection would like to engage on that issue? I do not want to go to the Minister, Deputy McHugh, and be told that the issue of who can access it relates to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. I do not want to fall between two stools.