Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 139: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will remove the six month rule for qualifying for training and education schemes when in receipt of jobseekers payments, in order to encourage people back into the workforce, particularly those who do not want to be dependent on social welfare for longer than necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32701/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I understand that the Deputy is referring to the back to education allowance scheme (BTEA) administered by the Department. This scheme is designed to encourage people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force. It enables qualified people who have been getting a social welfare payment to continue to receive a payment while pursuing an approved full-time education course.

There are two strands to the scheme, a second level option (SLO) and a third level option (TLO). To qualify for participation in either strand an applicant must be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment and must be at least 21 years of age prior to commencing an approved full time course of study. A person must have been in receipt of a social welfare payment immediately prior to commencing an approved course of study for at least six months (156 days) for a second level option course and 12 months (312 days) for a third level option course. The twelve month requirement is reduced to nine months for people participating in the National Employment Action Plan (NEAP).

The requirement to be in receipt of a relevant social welfare payment for a minimum period has always been a feature of the BTEA scheme because the purpose of the scheme is to assist people who are at risk of becoming dependent on the social welfare system on a long term basis. People who have been unemployed for a short time are not the main focus of the scheme and it was never intended to be a support for people in general who are pursuing full time education courses. It is recognised that early intervention is appropriate but an unemployed person needs time to explore alternative employment and training opportunities before opting for BTEA. The current duration parameters are considered reasonable for this purpose. The operation of the scheme will continue to be monitored but I believe that the current arrangements are optimal in terms of meeting the objectives of the scheme and targeting limited resources at those who are most in need.