Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 114: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will respond to a query (details attached). [10978/10]

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

My colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, deals with the student maintenance grant schemes.

This Department continues to provide financial support for jobseekers to return to work through the Back to Education Allowance which is a second chance educational opportunities scheme for people on welfare payments who wish to participate in full-time education and who would not otherwise be able to do so. Participation is open to recipients of a range of welfare payments, including Jobseeker's, One Parent Family, Disability, Illness and Caring schemes.

The allowance is paid at a standard weekly rate equivalent to the maximum rate of the social welfare payment that qualifies the applicant for the scheme. It is not means-tested and income from part-time work while on the back to education allowance does not affect the basic payment. In addition, an annual cost of education allowance of €500 is payable.

The back to education allowance has an important role to play in enhancing the employability skills of jobseekers. The nature and structure of the scheme will continue to be monitored in the context of the objectives of the scheme and changes in the economic climate.