Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will engage in discussions with the Department of Social and Family Affairs to widen access to the back to education allowance in order that more adults can avail themselves of the opportunities presented by the increased number of vacant places in courses provided by higher education institutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5092/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The back to education allowance is a second chance education opportunities programme 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. The scheme contains a third level option.

The number of participants availing of the Back to Education Allowance Scheme (Third Level Option) has grown since the scheme was first introduced in September 1990, from 67 to 4,310 in the 2005/2006 academic year. Over the period since the scheme was first established, in excess of 10,000 people have been helped to attain third level qualifications in a range of skills and programmes thereby enhancing their employment prospects. The eligibility criteria for participation in the scheme are considered reasonable and necessary by the Department of Social and Family Affairs in order to ensure that resources are targeted at those who are most in need, bearing in mind that the objective of the scheme is to assist people who have been claiming a social welfare payment on a long-term basis.