Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 266: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the supports available from his Department or through bodies funded by his Department, financial or otherwise, to help a person wishing to return to full time education shortly after having become unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33816/06]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 275: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the supports available from his Department, financial or otherwise, to help a person wishing to return to full-time education shortly after having become unemployed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33826/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 275 together.

My Department through the back to education allowance provides support to long-term social welfare recipients who cannot take up employment because they lack education qualification.

It is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force. Participants in the scheme receive a standard weekly rate of payment equivalent to the relevant Social Welfare payment they were in receipt of prior to participation in the scheme. An annual EUR 400 Cost of Education Allowance is payable to all approved participants at the beginning of each academic year.

Also, participants continue to receive any secondary benefits to which they would otherwise have an entitlement.

At present, to qualify for participation in the BTEA scheme an applicant must be, prior to commencing an approved course of study, at least 21 years of age (18 for people with disabilities). Lone parents and unemployed persons may access the scheme at 18 years if they are out of formal education for 2 years or more. An applicant must also be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for at least six months, in the case of people wishing to complete a second level course, or twelve months in the case of people wishing to pursue third level qualifications. The twelve-month requirement is reduced to nine in the case of people who wish to attend a third level course and who are participating in the National Employment Action Plan.

The scheme was established to assist people who have been out of the workforce for some time and whose opportunities of obtaining employment would be enhanced by participation in the scheme. It was not intended for people who have been unemployed for only a short period.

Any change in the present arrangements would be a matter for consideration in a budgetary context.