Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the limitations of the back to education allowance scheme in respect of unemployed graduates; and if she will reform this scheme to allow graduates to participate in the scheme. [40717/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The objective of the back to education allowance scheme is to equip people on social welfare payments with qualifications that will enable them to obtain employment in the labour market. The scheme covers full-time courses of education from second level to Higher Diploma (H.Dip) level in any discipline or a Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary and Secondary Teaching).

The focus of the back to education allowance is on providing assistance to the highest possible number of those in greatest need in terms of meeting the requirements of the labour market. The scheme is designed to encourage progression in terms of the level of qualifications pursued. Possession of qualifications such as Postgraduate Diplomas, Professional Diplomas and MA courses or post-graduate courses at level 9 or above on the National Framework of Qualifications is not regarded as a prerequisite to re-entering the workforce and, therefore, these courses are not covered by the terms of the scheme.

The Government has devoted significant resources to the back to education allowance. This year, €87.8 million is available under the scheme. The number of participants in the current academic year shows a substantial increase on last year.

The part-time education option under the back to education programme e enables unemployed people to attend part-time day/evening courses of education, including post graduate courses, and retain their jobseekers payment provided that they continue to satisfy the conditions of being available for and genuinely seeking employment on an on-going basis. If a person wishes to retain their jobseekers payment while doing a part-time course, they should contact their local social welfare office.

The back to education allowance scheme will continue to be monitored in the light of the changed economic circumstance in order to ensure that it continues to meet its objectives.