Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 136: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on allowing distance learning training courses and HETAC courses to be included on the approved list for the back to education allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5044/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Attendance at approved full-time educational courses provides opportunity for personal development and progression to employment for those dependent on income support. The existing arrangements applying to the back to education allowance scheme, which excludes distance learning courses, are best suited to meeting the objective of the scheme, which is to enhance the employability skills of vulnerable groups who are distant from the labour market. The back to education allowance scheme already caters for third level courses attracting HETEC accreditation. Participants on the back to education allowance scheme are paid at a standard weekly rate equivalent to the maximum personal rate of the relevant social welfare payment that qualifies them for participation in the scheme. Participants are also paid an annual cost of education allowance, which is currently €400. For the 2008-09 academic year, this allowance will be €500.

There are two strands to the scheme, a second level option and third level option. Under the second level option, a person may attend a second level course of study at any community, comprehensive, secondary, or vocational school. The course being pursued must be a full-time day course of study that leads to a certificate that is recognised by the Department of Education and Science or validated by the Further Education Training and Awards Council. The Third level option allows a person to attend an approved third level course of study at any recognised university or third level institution. The course must be a full-time day course of study which is an approved course recognised by the Department of Education and Science for the Higher Education Grant Scheme, the Vocational Education Committee's Scholarship Scheme, the Third Level Maintenance Grant Scheme for Trainees or validated by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council.

The numbers availing of the back to education scheme are at an all-time high and currently exceed 8,000. I have no plans to extend the scheme to include distance learning courses within the scheme. I will continue to monitor the scheme but I believe that, overall, the current arrangements as provided by my Department's back to education allowance scheme are adequate and ensure that resources are targeted at those who are most in need.