Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 484: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many persons who have previously attended third level education and who are in long-term receipt of social welfare payments are unable to receive State support to allow them to return to college; his proposals to assist persons in this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35318/09]

Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 485: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the cost to the State of providing a third level maintenance grant and free fees to a person who has previously attended third level education and who is in long-term receipt of social welfare payments would be less than the cost of providing social welfare payments to those persons; his proposals to assist persons in this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35319/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together.

Under the terms of my Department's student grant and free fees schemes, students who are entering approved courses for the first time are eligible for grants and free tuition fees where they satisfy the prescribed conditions of the individual schemes including those relating to progression. In general students who previously pursued a course of study are not eligible for grant assistance or free tuition fees in respect of a second period of study at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant or tuition fees were paid previously. Subject to various conditions of the individual schemes, in certain circumstances free tuition and grants are available where students are progressing e.g. to a course at a higher level. I have no proposals to depart from the above.

There are a number of initiatives which provide additional support to students who are in long term receipt of certain social welfare payments. Students who qualify for a maintenance grant for their attendance on a recognised full-time approved course in a third-level institution or PLC Centre may also qualify for the higher, Special Rate of maintenance grant if they satisfy the relevant terms and conditions. To qualify for the Special Rate of maintenance grant, an applicant must qualify for the ordinary maintenance grant in respect of the relevant academic year. In addition, total reckonable income must not exceed a specified amount which, for the 2009/10 academic year, is €22,308 in the 2008 tax year. Finally, the source of income must include one of the eligible long-term Social Welfare payments prescribed under the scheme.

The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) 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 work force. Eligibility for the Back to Education Allowance and associated payments is determined and administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs.